The assassination of President John F. Kennedy

By Aric Cisneros

The New York Times, Nov. 23, 1963, Page 1

The Dallas Morning News, Nov. 23, 1963, Page 1

Breaking News

This UPI teletype bulletin likely would have been a “tweet” in 2014/ Texas State Library and Archives Commission

Nov. 22, 1963, was perhaps one of the most important dates in the modern history of print and broadcast journalism. The world stood by as details slowly poured in about the attempt on President John F. Kennedy’s life. The media world of 1963 was vastly different from the world we know today; 50 years ago, breaking news did not spread like wildfire through Twitter, live blogs and video streams. On that day, eyes were glued to the television screen as people tried to make sense of what was going on in Dallas, Texas.

Once the confirmation of Kennedy’s death reached CBS, the network cut away from an afternoon soap opera to a visibly distraught Cronkite in the newsroom, surrounded by rotary telephones and clattering newswire machines, as he informed the nation of the president’s death.

“From Dallas, Texas, the flash apparently official, President Kennedy died at 1 p.m. Central Standard Time.” – CBS News, Walter Cronkite

Prior to this event, there was no real template or guideline for handling a moment of this magnitude in broadcast news. So much of the footage was raw and unscripted, some broadcasters even had one ear to the phone as they relayed messages to viewers. That was only the beginning, though, as the next four days were chaos -- from the shooting of Lee Harvey Oswald on live television to Kennedy’s funeral.

Print Journalism

Headlines from The New York Times and The Dallas Morning News on Nov. 23, 1963, the day after Kennedy’s death.

According to The New York Times, more than 200,000 words were produced on the very first day; this started with The Times’ White House correspondent Tom Wicker’s 4,000 word lead story. The journalists at the time had to overcome their own shock, grief and bewilderment to report the news as it developed. Over those four days, more than 120 articles were written, covering every angle of the event. The only comparable moment for anyone born after these events in 1963 would be those affected by the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001.

The powerful, straight to the point lead by Tom Wicker, NYT White House correspondent

Conspiracy Theories

Over the years, the conspiracy theories surrounding the death of President Kennedy have become a constant source of discussion. The Warren Commission formed a report concluding that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. This report became ground zero for conspiracy discussions.

According to CNN, over the last 50 years, the “lone gunman” theory doubters have accused 42 groups, 82 assassins and 214 people of being involved with the assassination. There is a lot of paranoia to go around for some of these doubters who have made it a personal obsession to debunk the theory.

Remembering Kennedy

1962 portrait of John F. Kennedy at his White House desk./ Associated Press

For a man who didn't even serve a full term as president and had his fair share of flaws, Kennedy was endeared by most of the nation and is considered one of the better occupants of the Oval Office.

“And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.” – President John F. Kennedy

Aric Cisneros is a Journalism student at Texas State University. He can be reached at amc238@txstate.edu