I chose these pictures of Lyndon Johnson being sworn in as the 36th President of the United States aboard Air Force One about 2 hours after President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas on November 22, 1963. The pictures, taken by Cecil Stoughton, show LBJ taking the oath while standing next to First Lady Jaqueline Kennedy, who is still visibly stunned. After doing further research, I learned that in these iconic pictures, Jackie is still wearing the pink Chanel suit she had on when her husband was shot as she rode next to him in the parade. When it was suggested to her that she change her clothing, she refused because she wanted people to see what had happened to her husband. After LBJ was sworn in, the then former First Lady returned to the rear of the plane to stay with her husband for the remainder of the flight.
Though clearly I wasn't alive when this tragedy took place, I think these are very unique and telling photos. It was obviously sad, yet also strangely comforting to a nation mourning the loss of their popular and beloved President to see Jackie Kennedy standing beside Johnson as he took over as President. It showed the nation there would be some sense of normalcy, that our government would carry on.
I have been to Dallas...to the exact spot where JFK was mortally wounded...and I can't begin to imagine the shock and fear the nation endured at that time. More over, I can't imagine how Jackie, with the entire world watching, carried herself with such grace and elegance. I do think her poise helped our nation begin to heal.
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