The Day JFK Was Shot: 'It Was A Dreadful Day'

Friday marks the 50th anniversary of the assassination of the 35th President of the United States, John F. Kennedy. 

For those of a certain age, the memories of that Friday afternoon on Nov. 22, 1963 are still vivid. It was a day that rocked a nation and broke our country's heart. We asked Patch readers to recall that day and share their memories of where they were when they heard the news that JFK had been shot. Here's some of the responses:

Barbara Strong Borsack 6th grade-with my music teacher at East Hampton Elementary school, Mrs . Havens. The principal (John Marshall) stuck his head in the door and announced that the President had been shot. Mrs. Havens took her glasses off and placed them on her desk and put her head in her hands and wept. I'll never forget that. It was rare to see any adult cry-for a teacher to cry was very traumatic for a twelve year old.

Connie Wallace-Mabry I was walking down the hallway at Carver Jr.High (which was still segrated). The principal and another teacher were crying but I didn't realize why until I got back to the classroom. Like Barbara, I didn't understand why two adults were crying.

Margaret DeRouleaux Freshman in High School at an awards ceremony. Our principal began the program with an announcement that the president had been shot. The awards were handed out in silence. When it was over, he came to the podium in tears to tell us the president had died. We were dismissed and filed out of the auditorium, weeping at the news. It was a dreadful day.

Dan Hartnett I was in a 2nd grade classroom in St Kevin's School, Flushing, Queens. We had just come up from lunch/recess and were sitting down to a handwriting lesson ( usual Friday routine). The Principal announced the shooting on the PA, and then played the radio reports. I'll never forget the bells peeling at JFK's death.

Sally Moran I was in my English class in high school. I remember the sense of shock. It was surreal. We were dismissed from school shortly after.

Peggy Richards The very beginning of fourth grade. All the teachers were crying but they didn't tell us anything. I think the bus driver might have told us.

Thomas Angelo Demopoulos I was in a car taking drivers training from my high school. When we returned to the school, we were all told to go to the study hall , the whole school. The principal made the announcement, a few girls left in tears and school was closed for the rest of the day.

Valerie Lashuk I was a secretary in the WHB Six Corners School. I was 17. A parent called in and told me and I quickly told my boss, Mr. John Comba. Being so young, I had no idea of what would happen should the president die, and all I could think of was, "What are we (the U.S.) going to do now?"

Pat Burke Frost Eighth grade English class in Sayville jr high school. This happened the day after my thirteen birthday. My parents had to decide whether to go ahead with my luau on that sat. We had the luau