November 22, 1963

For many of my readers, I need not write any more. When they see that date, they instantly remember what I am talking about, where they were when they heard the news, and how it changed their life. That was exactly 60 years ago today.

Of course, this was the date of the signal event of the Baby Boomer generation, and indeed, of all who were living on that date. It was the date of John F. Kennedy’s assassination. My younger readers may say that September 11, 2001 was their signal event, and I certainly understand that.

In my eyes, November 22, 1963 was the real date of the end of the halcyon days of the post World War II 1950’s. After that date, the 60’s began. Life got a little more unsettled. The American culture changed over the 1960’s ushering in a new generation and a new way of looking at America. We were less certain of things, and the pace of change in government, music, popular culture, style, education, entertainment etc. became dramatic.

I am sure that other eras of time could also be explained in the same type of terms by other people. My perspective, and that of many of my generation was changed that day. Maybe that was because I was 13 years old and starting adolescence. Maybe because I think America had a significant loss of innocence that day. Maybe because that was the gateway to a very violent 1960’s which witnessed the gun deaths of Martin Luther King Jr., Robert Kennedy, Malcolm X, and the attempted murder on presidential candidate George Wallace.

At any rate, take a moment to pause and reflect upon how that day affected you. Where were you when you heard the news? How did that feel to you? With whom did you share your pain and grief that day?

So, I will end on a better note. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, a day to be grateful to God for his blessings and protection. May you have a wonderful day with friends and family!

Blessings…