Techy WandererNov 23
Hannah Howe

Saturday 23 November 1963

The world was horror-struck last night by the news that America’s president John F Kennedy was dead - shot in the head by a hidden assassin. Mr Kennedy was riding in an open-top car in Dallas, Texas. Mr Kennedy lived only 25 minutes after he was hit. He died at about 1pm local time, 7pm British time.

Nov 23 at 12:00pmWeb
Show threadHannah HoweNov 23

Last night, police were questioning a Texan who had once defected to Russia. They had found his rifle with a telescopic sight. And they said that the assassin had been eating fried chicken at a sixth-floor window while waiting for the president.

In the building where the shots came from police entered a sixth-storey room and found a rifle with a bullet in the breech along with three spent cartridges lying beside it.

Show threadHannah HoweNov 23
In a Dallas cinema, police closed in on 24 year old Lee Oswald. An officer was killed in the struggle to arrest him. And later Oswald was charged with the policeman’s murder. Police said it had not been established that Oswald was Mr Kennedy’s killer.
Show threadHannah HoweNov 23
Oswald has denied any connection with either of the killings. He defected to Russia in 1959 but returned to America last year with his Russian wife and their two babies. Dallas is the centre of right-wing politics. Right-wingers were opposed to the president’s civil rights policy to give equality to coloured people.
Show threadHannah HoweNov 23
Many viewers complained to the BBC last night because the Harry Worth comedy show was broadcast after the announcement of President Kennedy’s assassination. Independent Television broke into the middle of the Take Your Pick quiz show with news of the shooting. At 7.30pm there was a newsflash then two minutes silence. Then Emergency Ward 10 began, but it was faded after five minutes. Bach and Chopin piano music was substituted.
Show threadHannah HoweNov 23

Television Highlights: Dr Who (science fiction series) - An Unearthly Child starring William Hartnell. Juke Box Jury with Sid James and Cilla Black. The Avengers - The Medicine Men with Honor Blackman.

Radio highlights: Hot Twenty. New Juke Box Show.

Weather: rain or drizzle. Rather mild. Outlook - sunny spells. 12c, 54f.

Show threadStoneface VimesNov 23
@HannahHowe I was at cubs when it happened. I got home two villages along to find it had happened and still remember the shock. To think president Kennedy had been shot was, to nine year old me, stunning.