When I was growing up, we had one radio in the house--in the kitchen. My parents chose not to have a television, so that was our "media," along with a record player of some sort. We would gather in the kitchen every night to hear Lowell Thomas give the 15-minute evening news sometime around our dinner hour. But when we were in bed sick, we had the privilege of the radio being moved to our bedside. Then I would listen to those 15 minute radio stories--soap operas of that day I suppose. So it was that 50 years ago I was in bed with one-sided mumps, listening to the radio as I ate cream of mushroom soup for lunch. The program was interrupted by the news that our president had been shot. I rushed downstairs to tell my parents. They didn't believe me at first. The radio was soon moved back downstairs so all could follow the news more closely.My father rented a small television set for a few days so we could follow this earth shattering news. How could such a thing happen? I was glued to the TV and the images are still so clear in my mind … Jackie Kennedy's blood spattered suit and her classic pillbox hat (I only knew it in black and white but later learned it was pink), the open convertible, close-ups of Lee Harvey Oswald, Little John standing at salute, the horse drawn wagon carrying the casket, the casket being carried up the Capital steps to lay in state.
Then came Sunday morning when many were in church. I was still home sick, watching the news, and therefore I was an eye witness to the killing of Lee H. Oswald by Jack Ruby. Live on TV. What an incredible weekend. I'm thankful our father enabled the visual memory for us as it made such an impression. A moment in history never to be forgotten by any. A time when those of us who were old enough to remember, know exactly where we were when we heard the news that day.
obviously not my photo, just off the internet
I was a sophomore in high school and came out of class to see classmates crying. It was difficult to comprehend. Things like that did not happen in the United States. We watched, stunned, on the television. My memory is of Carolina and John John.
ReplyDeleteWe do not own a television. We listen to radio programs and our favorite is Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me on NPR.
Totally remember it...
ReplyDeleteWhat interesting parallels between your memories and mine. I was home sick as well...watching tv while lying on the living room sofa. I was the only one watching and also was the messenger. I remained the only one who watched for some time...until Walter Cronkite announced that President Kennedy had died. A sad memory...
ReplyDeleteI am just now listening to some audio clips of some of his speeches...my how President Kennedy's party has changed!
Oh Podso!! I so remember that day ,too!
ReplyDeleteDottie
I remember that day so very well. School was let out early and we walked home. Mother turned on the t.v. and we were glued to viewing history in the making for days. It was such an unbelievable and sad time for us, the country and the world.
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Bonnie
Even in Canada President Kennedy's death was received with much sorrow. Our 6th grade teacher came from the office to the classroom door and stood there crying. After composing herself, she shared the news and a class discussion began.
ReplyDeleteI was seven at the time... I remember it too... and the feeling that things had changed... irrevocably changed... similar to how I felt on 9/11. Thank you for sharing your memories of that week. blessings ~ tanna
ReplyDeleteI was in Grade Two, in Canada, and school was let out early. It was such a shock to the world,but I was too young to absorb much of the meaning. That came later. But I still remember walking home and talking about it with my friends.
ReplyDeletePodso, I can't say I was born on the day of that event but as a child JFK's picture hung in my Grandmother's house until she died. She was like older folks use to be, of very little words but I understood the significance of the day.
ReplyDeletefascinating post...I was in kindergarten and watched the funeral on tv...I was just thinking the other day that I see myself watching tv...not the actual tv news...so wonder what that was about??? Anyway..being from Texas...have been tuned into this my whole life...she was and still is amazing to me as they both are and this week could not get enough. One of the er doctors was an intern from Amarillo and we went to hear him speak...for 2 hours...I soaked up every word!
ReplyDeleteI was two, but since I am a Texan and it happened in my state, it is part of my life. I now live in Dallas, so it is part of my today history.
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