November 22
JFK REMEMBERED DAY
Generations recall watching CBS Television on this day in 1963. The popular soap opera As the World Turns was interrupted by a flash bulletin from Dallas. No one was available to man the CBS News studio at that instant, but a voice informed the nation that President John F. Kennedy had been gravely wounded during a motorcade through downtown Dallas.
Minutes later, after teletype machines, with alarm bells clanging, had spread the word to newsrooms around the world, the network interrupted again.
This time, Walter Cronkite, wearing partially rolled-up, white shirt sleeves, a loosened tie, no makeup, and black glasses, read wire copy just handed him: “Ladies and gentleman, the President of the United States is dead.” Cronkite, disbelieving the words he had just said, turned to look at a studio clock, stoically raised a hand to wipe away tears and continued with the tragic news that President Kennedy had died while undergoing emergency surgery at Parkland Hospital.
Those Were the Days, the Today in History service from 440 International
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