Today is the anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
The president was shot as he rode in a motorcade through Dallas, Texas. He served less than three years in office before he was killed.
At the time, much of the activity in the country was put on pause as Americans gathered around televisions to watch the nonstop coverage of the assassination and the funeral.
A few day later, many Americans also witnessed the murder of the accused assassin, Lee Harvey Oswald.
Television is credited with creating a shared experience throughout the country since it was the first time many Americans were able to follow a tragedy like this from beginning to end.
Learn more about the JFK assassination.
Image description: The headline on the front page of the April 4, 1909 New-York Tribune reads “Mr. Taft revives the popularity of golf at the National Capital.”
This newspaper, and others, are available to read on Chronicling America, a collection of newspapers from 1836-1922.
Image courtesy of the Library of Congress
Image description: President Woodrow Wilson talks with a pilot circling over the White House grounds in a demonstration of air-ground communications, 1918.
This photo is from the White House’s “A Look Back” gallery, which features photos of past presidents performing some of their official duties. You can view more images from the gallery on the White House blog.
From the Presidential Libraries:
This weekend will mark the anniversary that President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the official proclamation admitting Hawaii as the 50th state.
