It’s the question that defined a generation: “Where were you when you found out that President Kennedy had been shot?”
As we remember that tragic afternoon in Dallas fifty years ago and the legacy of President Kennedy, we asked legislators to share their stories from November 22, 1963.
“I was in seventh grade. Our English teacher came in, crying, and told us that President Kennedy had died. We all cried and knew that the world would never be quite the same.” – Rep. Dawn Morrell (D-Puyallup)
“I was in my junior high Latin class. The principal told us the news. It was surreal at first, and then it was just tragic. I remember spending the weekend in front of the TV watching the coverage.” – Rep. Steve Tharinger (D-Sequim)
“I was walking to a college class and a classmate stopped to tell us. We began to try to process the news together. I remember calling my mother, a staunch Republican, and sharing our devastation. I cried for days.” – Rep. Ruth Kagi (D-Seattle)
“I was in my junior high P.E. class. It was a big day – we got to have co-ed P.E. and were learning some sort of dance. Our principal walked into the gymnasium and told our class. I remember feeling sad, but the enormity of the situation didn’t register at first. They let us out of school early and I spent the rest of the day in front of the TV.” – Rep. Dean Takko (D-Longview)
“I was in third grade when President Kennedy was shot so the details are a bit fuzzy. I do remember being at recess and a plane flying low overhead. A fourth grader shouted out ‘That must be a communist plane because we don’t have a president!” – Rep. Eileen Cody (D-West Seattle)
Do you remember where you were when you heard the news or do you have a special JFK story? Please share them with us in the comments section.