November 22 - National JFK Remembrance Day

 

Across the country on November 22, schools, businesses, and government offices are closed in observance of this day of mourning.  
 
Many had watched the funeral on television half a century ago, while others heeded former 36th U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson’s (LBJ) call to attend memorial services.  
 
On November 22, 1963, 35th U.S. President John F. Kennedy (commonly known as "Jack" or by his initials JFK) was assassinated in Dallas, Texas by American Marxist and former U.S. Marine Lee Harvey Oswald.  

 

The next day, the newly sworn-in President Johnson issued his first presidential proclamation.  
 
In a statement that was broadcast on both television and radio, he declared November 25, 1963, the day of President Kennedy’s funeral, a national day of mourning. Kennedy was 46 when he was assassinated. 

 
Previously, Johnson had praised the late president, but also directed the American people to look towards the future: 

 
"He upheld the faith of our fathers, which is freedom for all men. He broadened the frontiers of that faith, and backed it with the energy and the courage which are the mark of the nation he led. 
 

A man of wisdom, strength, and peace, he moulded and moved the power of our Nation in the service of a world of growing liberty and order. All who love freedom will mourn his death. 

 
As he did not shrink from his responsibilities, but welcomed them, so he would not have us shrink from carrying on his work beyond this hour of national tragedy. 
 
He said it himself: 'The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it -- and the glow from that fire can truly light the world.'" 
 
Now, therefore, I, Lyndon B. Johnson, President of the United States of America, do appoint Monday next, November 25, the day of the funeral service of President Kennedy, to be a national day of mourning throughout the United States.  

 
I earnestly recommend the people to assemble on that day in their respective places of divine worship, there to bow down in submission to the will of Almighty God, and to pay their homage of love and reverence to the memory of a great and good man.  

 
I invite the people of the world who share our grief to join us in this day of mourning and rededication." 

 
On November 22, 2013, 44th U.S. President Barack Obama had declared Friday a Day of Remembrance for former President Kennedy, and ordered flags to be flown at half-staff to commemorate the 50th anniversary of JFK's death. 
 
Former President Kennedy is interred in the Arlington National Cemetery at Arlington, Virginia in Section 45. 
 

"Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." ~John F. Kennedy 

 

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