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Saturday, November 23, 2013

Sepia Saturday 204: 23 November 2013 - Roused from my sleep

It was a Saturday, 23 November 1963, when the news of JFK's shooting reached Australia. I was in bed when my mother came into my room to tell me the news. Like millions all over the world I was absolutely stunned. Just as I remember what I was doing the day Princess died I have a very clear recollection of what happened 50 years ago today.

Catholic Schoolgirl - 1963
My heroes weren't pop stars (except for the Beatles), they were men and women of vision or selfless characters who worked to improve the lot of others.

I was a great fan of John Fitzgerald Kennedy and used to read every newspaper and magazine article about him that I could get my hands on. I also had a small collection of books about Kennedy some of which I still have in my library today. No doubt this interest was fuelled by the nuns at the Catholic school I attended as they were also in awe of the Catholic President. I admired  the American Princess, Jackie Kennedy, and the cute little Kennedy kids. The Kennedys were America's royals.

My interest in Kennedy has waned over the years but if there is an opportunity to watch a documentary about Kennedy, his family and the assassination I take it. Just last night I watched two Kennedy related documentaries.

The only place I visited when I had a day in Dallas last year was The Sixth Floor Museum (The former Texas School Book Depository). Although it was a sobering experience the pilgrimage to the Museum was one of the highlights of that trip to the US. It took me back to that day 50 years ago when a Catholic schoolgirl mourned one of her heroes.

The Sixth Floor Museum (2012)

The former Texas School Book Depository (2012)
This post is my submission for Sepia Saturday 204.
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9 comments:

  1. Jackie van BergenNovember 23, 2013 at 12:44 PM

    Good to see you on Sepia Saturday again. Cute school photo :)

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  2. JofeathNovember 23, 2013 at 8:17 PM

    Very interesting. If I ever get to visit Dallas, I'll know what to do there. According to today's news, the event was commemorated in Dallas for the first time this year, as up until now they had felt too ashamed to do so.

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  3. Colleen G. Brown PasqualeNovember 23, 2013 at 11:17 PM

    Love the Catholic girl uniform; very much like a boy's uniform I guess. When I taught in Catholic schools the girls wore little plaid jumpers. I would like to visit that museum in Dallas at some time.

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  4. ScotSueNovember 24, 2013 at 4:04 AM

    A fascinating account of your reaction to the tragedy on that fateful weekend.

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  5. PostcardyNovember 25, 2013 at 7:24 AM

    I wonder whether they are still selling postcards of the assassination site at the museum.

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  6. Pat's Posts November 25, 2013 at 10:20 AM

    I am surprised at how many SS bloggers have either been to or show photos of that Texas book depository. Very pretty school photo and the hair looks absolutely all in place.

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  7. La NightingailNovember 25, 2013 at 10:33 AM

    Ah, the 60's flip hairdo. I was into the bubble cut back then which eventually grew out into a gently teased page boy, then to a wavy version of the flip in the 70's, & now I wear it any way it will stay. Gray hair has a mind of its own! Nice post overall.

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  8. Bob ScotneyNovember 26, 2013 at 12:13 AM

    It's interesting to see how many sepians nave made it to Dallas over the years.

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  9. WendyNovember 27, 2013 at 11:08 PM

    Your account has reminded me how the Kennedy family really boosted Catholic pride in those days.

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