November 22, 1963
60 years ago today, president John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas Texas, beside his wife, Jackie, while campaigning for reelection. He was rushed to nearby Parkland Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead within 30 minutes of the shooting. The country and world reeled at his death in the days that followed. Newspapers covered nothing but news of his death and the Kennedy family for days.
The New Hampshire Sunday News headline on November 24 read “Hero’s Funeral For JFK” above the president’s portrait. Above the headline are several photographs of the Kennedy family: Ted and Eunice leaving the funeral, Bobby and Jackie – still in her blood-stained dress – returning from Dallas, Kennedy matriarch Rose at St. Francis Xavier Church in Hyannis, and the American flag-laden casket of the young president. The tragedy of his murder is felt throughout the rest of the paper with articles, notes of condolences, announcements of business closures out of respect, and other news, including now president Lyndon B. Johnson’s announcement for a day of sorrow preceding Kennedy’s funeral.
Visit the library rotunda to view some of the front pages covers from the Union Leader and the New York Times. To see the whole articles, stop by the NH Room on the second floor to view them on microfilm. The NH Room is usually open 1-4 Monday – Thursday, and Saturday 9-2. We also have a selection of books on the JFK assassination on display in the rotunda for further reading. A list of books on Kennedy and his presidency can be viewed here. The Kennedy family remains an object of fascination to this day, so there are many books and movies on the entire family available in the library as well. View a list of titles here to learn about America’s ‘Royal Family.’
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