JFK’s funeral procession saw him placed in the heart of the Capitol Building as hundreds of thousands came to pay tribute to the 35th President.
Over three days from November 23 to November 25, 1963, the funeral of assassinated US President John F. Kennedy took place in Washington D.C. as hundreds of thousands of people from all nationalities and walks of life turned out to pay their respects to the first Catholic, Irish President.
The picture below shows the depth of the grief of the American people who had the young President snatched away from them while he visited Dallas, Texas, on November 22.
With his coffin standing in the center of Capitol Building, hundreds are gathered in the crowds looking on in what looks like a darkened room while a guard of honor stands watch around the 35th president. An American flag is draped over his coffin and rays of sunlight can be seen shining down on them all.
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The body of President Kennedy had been brought back to Washington D.C. not long after his assassination and for 24 hours he lay in the East Room of the White House.
On Sunday, November 24, two days after his assassination, his casket was brought on a funeral march to the U.S. Capitol to lie in State and throughout the following day and night, thousands upon thousands took the opportunity to bid farewell and pay their respects.
This room is what can be seen above as friends, family, and fans moved in and out to catch their final glimpse of his flag-draped coffin.
Among them was his wife Jackie Kennedy, accompanied by their children Caroline and John Jr., as well as his brother Robert Kennedy and his wife Ethel.
Read more: 55 years after his death, John F. Kennedy speaks from the grave
President's Family leaves Capitol after Ceremony. Caroline Kennedy, Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy, John F. Kennedy, Jr. (2nd row) Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, Patricia Kennedy Lawford (hidden) Jean Kennedy Smith (3rd Row) Peter Lawford. United States Capitol, East Front, Washington, D.C. Image: Public Domain/WikiCommons. .
It wasn’t until Monday, November 25, that he was once again moved from here and a state funeral was held in Arlington Cemetary in Virginia after a Requiem Mass in St. Matthew’s Cathedral.
Can you remember where you were for JFK’s funeral? Let us know in the comments section, below.
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