Historian to discuss JFK assasination during Naperville presentation

Many people remember where they were and what they were doing around 12:30 p.m. on Nov. 22, 1963.

Some won't forget being glued to their TV sets as CBS news reporter Walter Cronkite reported on the assassination of John F. Kennedy. The nation plunged into total mourning after the news broke that Kennedy was shot while driving in a motorcade through Dallas.

Naperville Public Library will remember the tragic event during the presentation, "The Assassination of President John F. Kennedy," from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 24, at 95th Street Library, 3015 Cedar Glade Drive. Historian and presenter Jim Gibbons will discuss the happenings that led up to the assassination.

"I've been studying about John F. Kennedy and his assassination since college, primarily through books, videos, newspapers and records," Gibbons said. "The presentation moves quickly. Attendees can expect to be on the edge of their chairs. They will learn many facts that they may not already know. I also bring out trivia as far as the similarities between the Abraham Lincoln assassination and Archduke Ferdinand assassination."

Gibbons, who has been presenting the Kennedy program for about two years, will showcase different backdrops, including Dealey Plaza, where the assassination took place. He also will share newspaper headlines he acquired from that time.

Gibbons said it's important to learn about historical happenings, even the ones that are tragic and somber, because history repeats.

"We must see the mistakes that were made and never repeat them again," he said. "When I was 10 years old, John F. Kennedy was assassinated. I was also writing a school paper at the time on Kennedy's life when suddenly he was killed. This was the first death I ever dealt with and also saw live on television. It shocked the nation and brought the entire nation to a grand halt for four days. That amazed me of what a powerful man he was."