The Day JFK Was Shot: 'Everyone Started Crying'

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:

Clare Smith: I was in gym class. I'll never forget that day.

Karen Williams: 6th grade class when it was announced to us and we were sent home.

Debra Sparacino Spagna: I was home sick from school watching TV when it came over the news. I called out to my mother and both watched in disbelief.

Joan Nelson Tschopp: Coming down the stairs of the Lindenhurst Junior High School. I was in 7th grade. Someone shouted out, "The President's been shot." I'm not sure anyone believed it at first.

Marilyn Barker: I was working at 915 Broadway, NYC. I can still picture in my mind where I was standing when the news was announced.

Robert Mack: I was at grammar school with my parents for a parent/teacher meeting which never happened that day instead we put the TV on and everyone started crying...

Camille Tucci: I was 12, 7th grade, Mr. Sword's math class @ Meadowbrook Jr HS, East Meadow, (Nassau Co). Mr. Dooling, the principal, announced it over PA system & Played radio transmission. Mr. Sword was a tough former WW2 Marine, became emotional. Seems like yesterday, not 50 years.

Roberta Baralis Paul: I came home from school and saw my mother's eyes brimmed with tears. I stood next to her watching TV, as the news took over the world. Time stood still that day.

Joanna Barouch: In second grade. Another teacher comes into our classroom and whispers something to our teacher and she bursts into tears, startling all of us. Total bewilderment. The next memory is of my mother's worried face as she picks me up from school. She tells me Caroline's daddy has been shot and that's why everyone is crying. Caroline was a year younger than I. I had paper dolls of her, her parents, and her pony Macaroni. We got home and there was my daddy standing in the kitchen. I don't think I've ever been so happy to see him as I was that terrible day. He hugged me and wouldn't let go.

Roberta Wilmann Caristo: I was at work at National Securities and Research, 120 Wall Street, NYC, just had lunch and the radios and TVs were on, unusual I thought, then the screaming started...and we all heard the news! The Vice President of the firm was Mr. Philip C. Smith, and was married to a sister of JFK, he closed the firm and sent everyone home. He looked devastated and rightly so...after all his brother in law, the President of the USA, was just assassinated... When I got to the Subway, people were just walking around crying, sobbing, saying No, no, it can be...the subway cars were full, people all over the city were sent home.. I was just crying quietly, could not believe what happened...when I got home, I held my 2 daughters, 2 years old and 5 months old, and cried all night.... The world was different then, people were happier, innocent. That day changed all of us...

Where were you when JFK was shot? Share your own memories in the comments section below.