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The Day the Country Died

The Day the Country Died November 22, 1963 three pm e.s.t fifth grade pa speaker clicks on “today, at one pm c.s.t President Kennedy shot he is dead” our young substitute teacher gasps then starts to cry we are silent school is dismissed early buses home, no one speaks our country has changed

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CayCay Jennings

Date: 5/26/2025 5:25:00 PM

First grade for me. I remember emotional impact followed by age 5 upset that the TV showed nothing else for what seemed like a long time. I clearly remember seeing his children, that stayed with me. BUT my ramblings don't diminish the feel-impact of your write (which also took me to homeroom where speakers talked every school morn.) I probably said not one thing you expected, me either ... CayCay

Oliver Mckeithan
Date: 5/26/2025 5:30:00 PM

Thanks for reading CayCay. Glad my poem was able to stimulate a memory for you.

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 5/25/2025 11:31:00 PM

It died even before that, but that was sure the most obvious showing of it. Good one. I remember that day. I was around 8

Oliver Mckeithan
Date: 5/26/2025 1:15:00 AM

Thanks Andrea.

Gershon Wolf

Date: 5/25/2025 9:00:00 PM

Yes, indeed. The country died a little that day. It turned out to be the beginning of the end, which we are now approaching... I remember being in eighth grade, 2:01 CST, hearing the announcement over the P.A. system, followed by a few gasps,... and then the most tasteless joke I've ever told. Really. I turned beet-red. ~ Kam A Lot

Oliver Mckeithan
Date: 5/26/2025 1:16:00 AM

I agree with you about approaching the end. We can be glad we lived most of our lives now. Thanks Gershon