The news shocked the nation . Many people wept openly . Many gathered in public places to watch the television coverage . Traffic in some areas came to a halt as the news spread from car to car , even gathering around cars to listen to radio reports . Schools across the U.S. dismissed their students early . Misplaced anger against Texas and Texans was reported from some individuals . Various Cleveland Browns fans , for example , carried signs at the next Sunday 's home game against the Dallas Cowboys decrying the city of Dallas as having " killed the president . " However , there were also instances of Kennedy 's opponents cheering the assassination . A journalist reported rejoicing in the streets of Amarillo , with a woman crying out , “ Hey , great , JFK ’s croaked ! ” The event left a lasting impression on many worldwide . As with the December 7 , 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor before it and the September 11 attacks after it , asking " Where were you when you heard about President Kennedy 's assassination " would become a common topic of discussion
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
Reactions to the assassination of John F. Kennedy