From the archives: Walter Cronkite reports on John F. Kennedy's assassination on Nov. 22, 1963

[@CBSNews]

Watch more videos from CBS News Archives: kzbin.info/aero/PLEb3ThbkPrFZF1bKtRh5bFvtbaWnnhm21

[@marcelinodavila]

Am 81 years old, 22 when JFK was assassinated, l still feel the agony of disbelief, RIP beloved president.

[@davidpallin772]

@Dilshad My father felt the Soviets had nothing to do with it. He from day one suspected hardliners in the CIA and military intelligence. He felt this crime was beyond the capability of any one man. He was convinced Lee Oswald was set up when said, “no sir I didn’t shoot anyone, I’m just a patsy.” Only Intelligence operatives say that.

[@sniffles8655]

@Dilshad That's a good question.

[@nicholaskloss7198]

@Dilshad This wasn’t Soviets. This was mafia.

[@jamesgjennings9293]

@@nicholaskloss7198 it was Sr. Bush he was head of the CIA at that time.. and if you watch the in slow motion you can see the passenger ( Secret Service ) is the one who shot Kennedy and if you remember Jacqueline saying .... " That's not my husband ". Well, Kennedy knew ahead of time and they replaced him with a clone or DBL, but Kennedy actually died right after this past election. And to put the icing on this cake, John John is coming back as the 19th VP of the United States and DJ Trump as 19th President of the United States. Do some research on cloning if I'm not mistaken they ( the CIA and our Government ) we're making them in the 50's.. oh yeah 1 other tidbit.. Trump's grandfather worked for/ with Nicolas Tesla. Kennedy/Trump are cousins. Why do you think Trump became President.. Just Saying.. Oh yeah just 1 more thing.. Trump is still our president .. 😳😲🤫🤔🧐 😉😎😂🤣

[@gregford2103]

I saw a story many years ago where people who experienced both the JFK assassination and 9/11 were polled, and a majority said that the JFK assassination was more traumatic. Just wondering if you feel the same?

[@jaylouis8227]

It really touched me when Walter Cronkite started choking up when he was reporting the official death announcement. I appreciate seeing when those who are tasked with reporting the news allow themselves to be human, if only for a moment.

[@naysayer1238]

Not allowing, he was trying not to, just couldn't hold it back.

[@awesomeferret]

Arguing violently and ignoring facts is being human too. Your comment is way too simplistic.

[@jaylouis8227]

@awesomeferret My comment is as it relates to this particular clip. In this clip, Walter Cronkite is not arguing with anyone or ignoring facts. Your response to my comment is irrelevant.

[@awesomeferret]

@@jaylouis8227 amazing. Way to be a stereotype. 😂

[@jaylouis8227]

@@awesomeferret Explain what you mean by that.

[@jamespace1965]

Walter Cronkite was the epitome of journalism and integrity of reporting. I have a journalism backround and he was literally required reading.

[@7927jackpark]

Jim: I would have to agree with you, but I would want to add Chet Huntley to that list. Within four years of the shooting, I found myself interviewing CBS News' Eric Sevareid, my last interview as a student journalist. A nice career, only topped by convincing President Bush in 2002 of creating a National Counter Terrorism .

[@patrici509]

I was five years old when this happened. You could actually feel the grief coming from everyone. The entire town got real quiet. It felt like someone had shot the United States. My parents were shocked and in grief. My Dad couldn't even talk about it for days. He would just shake his head. And look down at the ground. Sometimes he would watch the news about it. And not say a word. My Mom and I watched President Kennedy's funeral on television. She was so very sad. As she explained it to me. I never understood why this happened. Everyone just loved the President.

[@williammorahan4907]

Not everyone I’m afraid.

[@patrici509]

@@williammorahan4907 Yeah. I guess you're right.

[@williammorahan4907]

@@patrici509 There’s always gonna be people in the world who hate. But there’s also always going to be more good in the world than bad. And if no one else tells you this - I will. Because I believe with all my heart; Nobody ever dies in Vain.

[@rishabsingh8009]

The sign of tension headache, Elevation of bp Heart rate elevation. Taking glasses on and off. 8:37 .........-------onwards

[@patrici509]

@@rishabsingh8009 I don't understand.

[@bakenumber4]

Mr. Cronkite kept his professional abilities together through out the entire gasly broadcast,what a pro.

[@timmiller6110]

I'm not sure that's quite what he's doing.

[@DJL0455]

That's EXACTLY what he's doing.

[@Nightshde524]

​@@timmiller6110 im not sure you have the adequate eyes to comment on that subject

[@jb-vb8un]

Cronk lied about the war in Vietman

[@jb-vb8un]

IIn the late-January calm of a Lunar New Year cease-fire, seventy thousand communist troops shattered the celebration, attacking more than a hundred South Vietnamese cities and towns. They struck along the coast, then presumed secure. They shelled the big U.S. complex at Cam Ranh Bay and stormed numerous towns in the central highlands. They attacked the mountain resort of Dalat and invaded thirteen of sixteen provincial capitals in the Mekong Delta. They captured the ancient northern capital of Hue and carried the war into the heart of Saigon-even into the U.S. embassy compound. This was the most daring operation of the war, and Americans watched in horror as the bloody spectacle unfolded on their television screens. They had been told the military situation was in hand, and now those assurances lay shattered in the American consciousness. But Tet had been a desperation move by North Vietnam, beset by a relentless American killing machine. And the Allied response was awesome. The communists lost ten thousand men in the first few days of the offensive, compared to 249 Americans dead and five hundred South Vietnamese. Overall, throughout the months-long battle, the communists lost nearly forty-eight thousand men. The North Vietnamese had sought to deliver the decisive military blow that would knock the Americans out of the region. They failed. They failed so miserably that they lost their ability to wage war in the South. Even a year later, as Richard Nixon assumed the presidency, CIA director Richard Helms told Newsweek columnist Stewart Alsop that the communist main force in Vietnam had been decimated in the 1968 fighting so thoroughly that it would take considerable time for Hanoi to rebuild its forces.

[@washredskin887]

What a crushing day this was for our country.

[@Arnold-vf9cg]

I received a letter from Walter Cronkite when he retired in which he wrote to me that "the rumors of my retirement are greatly exaggerated." He was "Uncle Walter" whom we all received the news from every evening for decades and trusted for his news sense.

[@cgimovieman]

My mom was just 12 when this happened. She’s told me the story of that day many times, and about the moment she found out when she was in school. The shock and amount of overwhelming grief was just unimaginable. In my own lifetime, 9/11 had a similar feeling of unimaginable shock, and I remember that whole day like it was yesterday myself.

[@Done832]

I remember both of these events also just like it was yesterday. I was in 5th grade when President Kennedy was killed and we were sent home early from school. Since it was Friday, and he was buried on Monday, I am thinking we were out of school all the next week because Thanksgiving was on Thursday. I'm not real sure about the whole week but I am thinking it would have been the whole week. 911 I had the television on and was talking to a friend on the phone and we both saw it at the same time on television. Neither of us could believe our eyes. I got off of the phone so I could call someone else and watch more closely. Both of these things were just awful. I will remember everything until my final day.

[@elijahvincent985]

8:37 the most haunting news announcement in all of broadcast history. God bless Walter Cronkite for his professionalism.

[@RH-wj4rz]

I agree with you. I am old enough to remember this horror. And Walter’s reporting.

[@TheeOriginalSurferbob]

There should be a drinking game, taking a shot of whiskey every time Walter the communist removes his glasses.

[@Heppsxd]

@@TheeOriginalSurferbob who asked

[@larrysproul9424]

@@RH-wj4rz I remember it well as I was in 4 th grade . We were dismissed from school . Once at home we watched TV most of the weekend . We went to a prayer service at church and then Sunday mass . It seemed that the world changed with the death of JFK. Worse yet so many years later the killer or killers were never charged with his death . So many questions with so few answers .

[@former5-0trustjesuschrist57]

Cronkite was a wicked satanist How dare you praise him He was a total propagandist Look him up he even said He stands with satan…

[@Funny4450]

Thank you for remembering JFK and posting this on his anniversary

[@PatrickMersinger]

Walter Cronkite was a total professional, the best there was. Even he was choked up when he announced the official news flash announcement. Television news really came of age that day. Until then newspapers and radio were the big news bringers. When this happened people had to know, and they turned on tv’s at there homes, in public places, storefront windows wherever they could find one. This was pretty much the beginning of tv news supremacy for decades to come.

[@former5-0trustjesuschrist57]

Cronkite was a Satan lover How dare you to call him good He was wicked

[@brenthynes5687]

That is how news should be

[@Militaria_Collector]

Changed america forever. Just sickening.

[@DJL0455]

Changed America for the worse... forever.

[@briankreezan9500]

Yes it was, I was a new born at the time. " " But just think about it , just how many different stories have been told of how it got to that " " And now with our wants was our commander and chief PRESIDENT. Just wait until they come out with the movie and the series. Just like the monument in New York that onors those who lost their lives or. OR WHAT ? ? ?

[@stevejensen3471]

Kennedy posed to get rid of CIA and was pressuring organized crime. Two orgs that depended on each other. Boom!

[@libertyann439]

He looked like he was about to cry but kept it together. 💯

[@stevecooper7883]

Imagine breaking news to millions that you just heard a few seconds earlier. Processing the information would be happening in your mind in real time in front of the camera!

[@ChildofGod3712]

Yes you can see he was visibly shaken

[@donnacox1354]

This shattered me. It is one of my life's experiences that I still carry the grief from in my soul.

[@johnf.kennedy]

I'm still here my child...

[@timmiller6110]

@@johnf.kennedy He has risen.

[@lucy2014]

My dad was an Air Force lifer and we were stationed in Maine when JFK was killed. I was in 8th grade history class and someone knocked on the classroom door and our teacher stepped out. When he came back in he was crying and told us what had just happened. I remember bits and pieces of that time, but I clearly remember JFK Jr saluting. I think he was 3. There are just moments in history you never forget.

[@tonywaldon7801]

I too was in the 8th grade in Birmingham Alabama when we got the news JFK had been shot, the whole classroom including mrs.johnson was stunned, to see JFK Jr. Salute his father still gets to me this day, a great moment in history

[@Voucher765]

@@tonywaldon7801 My Uncle was 13 years old in Middle School was the assassination took place

[@MattFisherlawvol]

8:37 in the video: one of the most poignant, professional, and human moments of journalism in the 20th Century. RIP Walter Cronkite.

[@charladiannealbritton3518]

GOD Bless my President!! I Loved him dearly! I was 15 years old, This was one of the worst days of my life!! When I was 111/2 years old,I stood on the streets of Inverness,Florida holding a President Kennedy sign that he was running for our President! I would tell everyone to vote for him! He was one of my Heroes!!

[@KiamKweli]

Greatly appreciate you putting this footage up. So many forget what living through this was like. Others like myself weren't alive to see it personally. Thank you.

[@mikeodonnell6799]

today it is all about Jenna Ortega dancing

[@KiamKweli]

@anidiotmakesthings Reading is fundamental. Another failed product of the US public school system.

[@michaelcrimmins4132]

As someone with "traditional" Journalism training (meaning I went to school for it and can't find a better word for it) and someone who reports on the radio I can say he was truly the epitome. No one will be able to reach his level.

[@theskeptic2010]

I was in fifth grade and in class when this happened. A teacher poked her head in the room and announced "The President has been shot". I was eleven years old at the time. I also watched Oswald get shot by Ruby on live TV. Lots of shock. Biggest comment I heard was "How can something like this in this day and age happen?"

[@SuperchiefApache]

This is when reporting was real!! I remember Walter quite well. He was an amazing news reporter….real news, real people, real life!

[@former5-0trustjesuschrist57]

Cronkite was an admitted satanist But morons still love him Love Christ… not this wicked satanist, aka uncle Walter..

[@Jukeboxster]

there is real reporting still, you just have to find it and stay away from the commentary TV networks

[@NateInDC]

I wasn't even born yet, but it was a sad day for America, Walter Cronkite did a good job holding it together after the official announcement, he was deeply saddened

[@texas2step266]

I was in a 4th-grade classroom in St. Joseph's Catholic School in Yakima, WA. The teachers were suddenly all called to the office, and then returned to classes with the news of the shooting. We immediately began saying the rosary. I still remember the chill I got when the news of Kennedy's death came. School was dismissed, and we went home to more shock and tears. Cronkite and other reporters were so professional. In such a situation today, the snarky political accusations and commentary would begin almost immediately.

[@nameredacted6221]

I agree, that must of been scary for you. It is sad that we remember the scarier days of our lives. I vividly remember when I was in a school lockdown in 4th grade, we were all scared. I just read a book called space: 1969, it was about if JFK didn’t die, it was really good, I came back to this clip after finishing it.

[@texas2step266]

@@nameredacted6221 September 11 is now part of the forever memories of so many Americans. I'm sure those who were children on that day were very frightened, (plenty of adults sure were,) and those memories will always color their lives.

[@nameredacted6221]

@@texas2step266 yes

[@alanphipps9987]

He was so compassionate in reporting the news. I was 15 yrs old and I saw my father crying and say P. Kennedy was great man . And said he stopped a war. God bless the Kennedy family for all they have gone through . Jackie Kennedy was so beautiful and will always remember her courage. And what she said when asked if she wanted a change of clothes. And dear John J at 3yrs saluting his father and wiping away tears from his eyes. God ,it was so sad. I have never forgotten that day and never will.

[@matthewklein9225]

If I recall correctly, Cronkite waited to release the news of Kennedy's death until it was confirmed. Sacrificing being first.

[@joe6096]

That’s why he was the best and should be the one reporter every aspiring journalist should model themselves after. Even in this age of the instant internet news in the palm of our hand at the tap of a screen, I still insist it’s better to be right, accurate, and factual than first. Or even second. Notice how Walter never once interjected that Kennedy was dead until he received the official AP Newsflash off the ticker. It was always “this person thinks” or “that person said” and adding we still have no confirmation.

[@matthewklein9225]

@@joe6096 the phrase I remember was "If Walter said it, it was true"

[@Caterpillarjon]

@@matthewklein9225 That's why he was called the most trusted man in America

[@georgeforall]

Walter is only 47 years old in this video.

[@zyrover]

I remember my dad telling me about how the news anchor legend Walter Cronkite broke the news regarding JFK's assassination. It's fascinating to finally see it for myself.

[@reneedennis2011]

Thank you for showing this today.

[@scootdaws25]

It was amazing how Conkright kept it together though you could see how hard it was for him.

[@RedVynil]

He was choking back the tears!

[@irvingr.fatback886]

Conkright? Hahaha

[@doyoulovehimloretta1607]

I was 5 and walking home from Kindergarten. All the Moms were in their front yards talking and clutching themselves, it was very cold, they were grabbing their kids as they came walking down the street. I didn't understand it. When I went in the house my Mom was in front of our b/w TV crying like a baby. She told me what happened and said "a great man died today". Then they showed him 9n TV behind a podium and she said "sh" to me and turned up TV. His words have stayed with me to this day, "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask instead, what can ypu do for your country". I've since learned at the ripe old age of 64 that jfk was no Saint, not by a long shot, but he was very right about what he said.

[@CatCmdr]

The whole world changed after this happened. It changed for the worse. I loved Walter Cronkite! ❤❤❤❤

[@alejandroperez-yy9ym]

Can’t believe it’s been 59 years since his death

[@wilnerolivier7971]

Next year will be 60!!

[@yobabythegoat]

You mean 59 years since the chickens came home to roost

[@alejandroperez-yy9ym]

@@wilnerolivier7971 yup

[@cheneethompson5756]

60 this year

[@georgehollingsworth2428]

This is one of my first clear memories as a child.

[@SonofTuscon99]

59 years ago today.

[@Alicious_Al]

My father was 12 years old when this happened. He told me it felt like yesterday; such a somber tone til this day.

[@lindagiovannazambanini6218]

I was 7 when JFK was assassinated and every second of every day of the entire 4 day weekend (F/S/Sun/M) is forever seared in my mind from the first moment when a knock came on my classroom door. The principal called our teacher outside to break the news to her and we were then told the President had been shot and we were being sent home early immediately. We were sent to the gym to await the school buses to take us home. In the meantime someone rolled out a small portable B&W TV onto the gym floor in front of our bleachers, plugged it into a long extension chord and turned it on so we could watch the news! After I got home I watched the news the entire w/e, during which time I watched live as Cronkite choked up making the announcement of JFK's death. Sunday 11/24, I witnessed Lee Harvey Oswald killed on LIVE TV - and even though I was only 7, I knew at that moment something was fishy. I also watched the State Funeral for JFK. The whole w/e was unbelievable and created almost a PTSD like memory, like 9-11 did, unforgettable. In my opinion as an educated citizen and as a JFK assassination researcher for almost 50 years, Oswald was exactly what he said he was - A PATSY! I also believe the assassination and the silencing of Oswald, and this now almost 60 YEAR coverup of the documents, is part of an ongoing government conspiracy. I believe the COUP D'ETAT was primarily orchestrated by the CIA using anti-Castro Cuban exiles, which the CIA routinely used as its hitmen. I loved JFK and IMO he was our greatest President of all time. Rest in Peace, my beloved President!

[@TheGillhicks]

You realize he’s rolling in his grave over the way your reporting the news nowadays.

[@James-bd3ei]

Indeed

[@johnf.kennedy]

Yup, can confirm!

[@jtaco4101]

Not Dan rather tho.

[@silverhawkflash]

Yeah, the right wing media is creating more Lee Harvey Oswalds everyday.

[@kitkat5339]

I was nine years old, a kid in a Catholic school. I will never, ever forget that day.

[@katedart707]

Fascinating seeing everyone working behind the scenes. You can almost tell the exact moment when everyone first got the news.

[@ErnestoXavier5426]

John F Kennedy once said, The ignorance of voters in a democracy is a clear and present danger to all of us including our national security. ⚔ In loving memory of JFK

[@elijahvincent985]

Words that remain, if not increasing in, relevance.

[@ErnestoXavier5426]

@@elijahvincent985 👍🏽

[@miguelelgueta5830]

Extremely relevant these days, fake news and lies widespread by social networks are deciding factors these days sadly

[@kenbomar375]

Every year since I became aware of the world, around 1973, I pause on this day and reflect on the affects of this event.

[@darrylgonzalez5251]

This was one of the saddest days in American history. The CBS News Team's coverage of the event was, however, a masterful example of journalistic integrity.

[@fishyboy2447]

I’m 73 and remember it like yesterday. 12 years old.

[@tonywaldon7801]

I remember that day very well I was 12 yrs old, we all we're sad, Walter Cronkite was a pro, the whole world trusted him to give the news, he was a little shaken delivering the news, but stayed professional 👌

[@former5-0trustjesuschrist57]

Cronkite was a satanist But u loved and trusted him Christ said let NO man deceive u You fell for it.. Look it up there is video of Wicked Cronkite saying he was A satanist!

[@tonywaldon7801]

@@former5-0trustjesuschrist57 No comment have a good day🙏

[@SKF358]

This happened when I was almost three years old. It is my first memory. And I am still not over it.

[@sgregg5257]

Super depressing.

[@Thekarlskorner]

Just about this time exactly fifty-nine years ago today this shocking news reverberated across the globe. Thank you for remembering this tragic event. I noticed many news organizations failed to mention it. Sad commentary on our corporate owned media.

[@rentslave]

On the 100th Anniversary in 2063,all that they'll be talking about will be the balloons in Macy's parade.

[@veronicamoody2661]

I'm a African American female. There will never be another journalist and reporter that could compare to this man. I remember watching him growing up. It's so imperative that technology has a huge part in our lives. I go back in time to understand and remember

[@erpollock]

Notice no teleprompter in 1963. Notice also total news, no emotion or excitement. No wonder Walter Cronkite could never be replaced.

[@sandrasanders706]

Or any newsman or woman at that time.

[@dianekekuewa9274]

I never thought I’d see an assassination attempt until today.

[@christophermyers3758]

I was in kindergarten, and after the news report was made, the school was closed and everyone went home. People were crying. I don't remember seeing anything on TV... probably as I was too young to understand?

[@laland5752]

My Grandfather was not a fan of his but made sure the house was in mourning. Even if he didn’t like a president, he still respected him.

[@gordonmcmanus1238]

I agree with you they don't respect the the presidency of office anymore so it's hate if you didn't like a president back then you still respect them because he was your president today it's so different unbelievable

[@otaviofrnazario]

​@@gordonmcmanus1238it has to do with the office holders too... Non US citizen, but in my nation the president also heads the government and is the face of the nation. Once elected, you have to make your administration work for all citizens, not your voters alone. And that's what no president has done in a long time. With this, people feel that there is no one but God and themselves for them. The office lost respect? I agree. But before that, the holders lost the respect for the position they are in

[@altfactor]

One of Walter Cronkite's three best known soundbites. The others were his commentary at the end of a special program on the Tet Offensive in Vietnam and his reaction to the first landing of men on the moon.

[@jb-vb8un]

But nobody was listening in the wake of those ominous flickering images in America’s living rooms and the false reporting of men such as Walter Cronkite. America had decided it must extricate itself from Vietnam by extricating itself from Lyndon Johnson. The late Peter Braestrup, Oberdorfer’s Washington Post colleague from those Vietnam days, disagrees in his 1977 book, Big Story. "Rarely," he wrote, "has contemporary crisis-journalism turned out, in retrospect, to have veered so widely from reality." To have such a defeat for the enemy portrayed also as a major defeat for America, he added, "cannot be counted as a triumph for American journalism." It simply isn’t logically consistent.

[@billinct860]

I just started my first year in high school when this happened. My school planned a pep rally in the gym before getting out for the day. I believe I was in a history class when the announcement was made that Kennedy was shot. Once it was confirmed he was dead, we were told to go to the gym where the pep rally was cancelled for the announcement and cancellation of the basketball game in the evening. From there we went to our home rooms, and they announced each bus as it arrived. The bus ride home was almost completely silent except for an occasional girl sobbing. Thanksgiving was the following week and no school. My father's workplace was on strike, so he was home and asked me if we heard the news... since I arrived home at almost the usual time. That whole week seemed grey and muted.

[@IAM-zu9nx]

My Dad was on PT boat's in WW Two and we love Jack Kennedy

[@maryspriggs8435]

Now that was a genuine professional !

[@4Mr.Crowley2]

I wasn’t even alive when this tragedy happened - and here I am bawling like a fat baby during the most famous segment (8:37) and listening to Cronkite’s voice cracking. Such grief!

[@frankaddington1773]

Back when the media just did their job and reported the news

[@killyourtelevision999]

I doubt the ever "just did their job and reported the news."

[@LiterallyGod]

Back when the news was trusted

[@mattschneider6773]

My Dad was stationed at a US Army base in Harrogate, England in 1963. He was at a bachelor party when an aide told the room that the President had been killed.

[@lawrenceweinzimer]

Was here in the same place 59 years ago today. It was a very warm, cloudy day here in NYC. Nobody could believe what happened. Remember this: We're only here from the grace of G-d.

[@James-bd3ei]

Amen

[@steifencan2375]

That is actually crazy imagine this would happen today

[@sostenisroney8898]

59 ANOS SE PASSARAM E FERIDAS CONTINUAM ABERTAS, POR CAUSA DESSE ASASSINATO , QUE O MUNDO JAMAIS ESQUECERA.

[@jeffnaslund]

I was four. This story was basically my introduction to life.

[@jakethecarsandreactorvideo9409]

Can’t believe this was almost 60 years ago 😢😢

[@catwillwerth4847]

Memories of a loss so intense, words cannot describe. 💜🙏💜

[@alanmorris7669]

This was the first and last time I ever saw Walter Cronkite choke up.

[@gordonmcmanus1238]

I was 10 years old when this happened and I still feel that pain when I look back at those days of the great loss of a great president I think America went downhill after this happened

[@marcoskolioulis3522]

I wasn't born until 1983 and I still feel the pain.

[@sandrasanders706]

Nothing's been right since..awful four days.

[@emiliobello2538]

They showed footage of this in The Butler. In memory of JFK

[@mandolindleyroadshow706]

I was 4 1/2, watching my usual TV children's junk. My mother heard the first bulletin on radio, then turned on CBS to see if what she heard was correct. We watched this very same broadcast in real time. It would become the template for all future world tragedies. The shocking flash bulletin, the unconfirmed reports and misinformation, the coalescing of the bad news, then the worst news. On 11/22/63, I was never more shocked or saddened. By anything.

[@altfactor]

The first network radio bulletin was at 1:35 P.M. EST (12:35 in Dallas) on ABC. I believe CBS, Mutual, and NBC Radio all had their initial bulletins within three or four minutes. CBS had the first network TV bulletin at 1:40 EST. Thus, your mom may have heard a network radio bulletin, went to your TV, and seized the set, flipping between the networks, and at 1:40 EST may have been tuned into CBS (and the soap opera "As The World Turns") when the network's first TV bulletin aired.

[@mandolindleyroadshow706]

@@altfactor I'm sure that is exactly what happened. We tuned to CBS when the "bulletin" screen was already in place, probably at 1:41 EST (I certainly wasn't watching As The World Turns). I wondered why we could hear Cronkite, but not see him. Incidently, was Jay Watson the first to report the news over the air?

[@altfactor]

Jay Watson was first to report it on TV, locally on WFAA-TV Dallas/Fort Worth. Some other TV stations may have broken into regular programming before their respective networks aired their first bulletin. As an example, then-NBC affiliate WBZ-TV Boston aired it's first bulletin locally at 1:40 EST, three minutes before NBC-TV's first network bulletin.

[@bmasters1981]

@@mandolindleyroadshow706 "I wondered why we could hear Cronkite, but not see him." As I understand it, it was because the cameras of the time had to have time to warm up and show Cronkite in New York talking about what had just transpired (JFK having been shot, and eventually later buying the farm); this is why when Cronkite told people for the first time, all they saw was a CBS News Bulletin title slide, then a commercial, and back to that day's ATWT broadcast. Later, of course, ATWT and everything else were put on hold indefinitely for full wall-to-wall coverage of JFK buying the farm and the aftermath thereto (Cronkite at one point couldn't hold it back having to break it).

[@lindat9522]

Most impressive- thinking on his feet reading each piece of paper handed to him. He takes his glasses off to conceal his emotions. Class act. ❤

[@nathueil1]

Who told him and how did he know 3 shots had been fired?

[@mariefortunato4737]

The worst day ever!

[@mariefortunato4737]

Cronkite was excellent!

[@parisbest105]

I was 10 years old, home from school sick with a sore throat, watching this Live on TV with my Mother and my Grandmother. I can remember watching Walter Cronkite report this, like it was yesterday!!! It's horrible to hear reports that Johnson may have known this assassination was going to take place.

[@davidburns8129]

I was also 10yrs in the 5th grade also home sick wasn't really sure what I was seeing on TV but my parents were very upset

[@EBLLC]

Nonsense!

[@jadenkhamtheang2931]

59 Years Later 1963-2022

[@carlbuschman]

I was eight years old when President Kennedy was assassinated, I remember it well.

[@cheneethompson5756]

So was my dad He remembers all the teachers in his school were crying

[@thefish5861]

That was one lousy weekend for all of us. I was in 7th grade science class right after lunch when they announced it. I'm 72 now, and I still feel terribly sad whenever I think about it.

[@kbcoop3249]

Awww great journalist, I remember watching Cronkite with my dad at night

[@familyiseverything1617]

WOW I REMEMBER THIS.......

[@walterscott2501]

A good man who whanted the best fr alllll of us and our country soo sad lion of judah💖💖👍🙏🙏👍👍👍

[@matejadamy2839]

Rendezvous with death, attractive Jackie, the comment about the seat in the limousine... some of these things are fascinating to hear.

[@GIGI-hz7ps]

I was in elementary school when we heard from either my teacher or principal. Cant remember which. It was a horrible day and night. 😔

[@KAAI_YUKI-s6o]

R. I. P kennedy

[@yobabythegoat]

The chickens came home to roost

[@mikekev58]

An awful day. Our country began its downnward spiral

[@johnking5174]

The news reached the UK in the middle of their prime time schedules. There was only two stations on air in the UK at the time, the BBC and ITV. The news of his death broke at the end of the BBC's nightly magazine show Tonight, on ITV it broke their hospital drama Emergency Ward 10. The schedules were changed with extra news reports and discussion programmes replacing the regular entertainment.

[@frankstanovic4401]

I was born in March of 63. So, only 8 mos old. But, as i grew up my mom was very scarred by this. She passed in 2018, but this always stuck with her. RIP JFK.

[@XxNoFlaggitsAloudxX]

Very poignant

[@davidtoups4684]

I've heard this probably over 100 times and the way Walter's voice breaks slightly when he makes the official announcement gets me every time

[@SafetyScout]

I was almost 3 and was home watching tv when this happened. I yelled for my mother in the kitchen that he’d been shot. She came rushing into the living room. We both saw actual black/white footage that we both swore was never on the news again. I never understood why that footage wasn’t shown again but it was at a different camera angle than all the rest of the footage. Family never talked about that footage or the whole day’s events. It was just too hard for my parents to talk about so we as kids never discussed it.

[@rondifrankel]

All news anchors today should be required to watch this video of a master journalist.

[@xybervox]

This is what the Conservative Party does to you if you cross their overbearing power. Kennedy did and paid the ultimate price.

[@salemshepard6883]

Wow, a real journalist just reporting the news. He's not trying to sell something, no name calling, none of his own personal opinions. Just news, real news.

[@kyliesbubbie]

I was in 2nd grade. My teachers were crying and so were my parents

[@SewerMan69]

60 years ago, today! WOW!!

[@rma3_3_3]

I distinctly remember this day like it were yesterday........

[@billcoffey1062]

I was 8 years old when they killed him. A grade schoolmate of mine said he thought it was planned and that some people thought he was a traitor. I was struck by the denial from many adults who bought the Oswald did it scenario. My mother and father had lived in Texas their whole life and strongly suspected LBJ of being involved. The vicious horrific act was the beginning of the loss of America’s innocence. People of power think nothing of murdering the leader because he didn’t support the power interests of the CIA, oil millionaires, the military industrial complex, and had the courage to defend the majority of the people who are for peace. No greater sacrifice could ever be asked. The COWARDS who did it can never be punished enough. Living as COWARDS is their karma.

[@edwardcricchio6106]

For those of us who were alive and remember this day, we can all say, this was the day the 1960s started.

[@gheorghiua1]

I was 6 yo old when President Kennedy was mercilessly killed, not in the US but in a village in Romania. This assassination shook the whole world not only the US. This was one of the best presidents the US and the world ever had.

[@nrrork]

And I think this is the kind of understated dignified way to report something like this. Just a camera stuck right in front of him in the newsroom as everyone runs around trying to get them the latest news. If this happened today, they'd be out on that big, gaudy set, constantly cutting to reporters on the scene, and they'd have a stupid graphic on the screen and cut to sad music and photos that they would already goulishly be putting together. No, scratch that. I realized something far, far worse: everyone would learn about it on TWITTER.

[@christianmuller292]

Walter Kronkite saying "our man Dan Rather down in Dallas"... The two biggest US news presenters in history. Little did Cronkite know how his colleague was to become the leasing news presenter for the next 40 years.