November 22, 1963: ‘Here is a bulletin from CBS News’

Walter Cronkite, CBS News headquarters in New York, November 22, 1963

12:40 p.m. “Here is a bulletin from CBS News. In Dallas, Texas, three shots were fired at President Kennedy’s motorcade in downtown Dallas. The first reports say that President Kennedy has been seriously wounded by this shooting.

“More details just arrived. These details about the same as previously: President Kennedy shot today just as his motorcade left downtown Dallas. Mrs. Kennedy jumped up and grabbed Mr. Kennedy; she called, ‘Oh, no!’ The motorcade sped on. United Press says that the wounds for President Kennedy, perhaps, could be fatal.

“Repeating, a bulletin from CBS News: President Kennedy has been shot by a would-be assassin in Dallas, Texas. Stay tuned to CBS News for further details.”

Walter Cronkite

1 p.m. “There has been an attempt, as perhaps you know now, on the life of President Kennedy. He was wounded in an automobile driving from Dallas Airport into downtown Dallas along with Governor Connally of Texas. They’ve been taken to Parkland Hospital there, where their condition is as yet unknown.”

1:38 p.m.“From Dallas, Texas, the flash — apparently official — President Kennedy died at 1 p.m. Central Standard Time, 2 o’clock Eastern Standard Time, some 38 minutes ago. [Brief pause to regain composure.] Vice President Lyndon Johnson has left the hospital in Dallas, but we do not know to where he has proceeded; presumably, he will be taking the oath of office shortly and become the 36th President of the United States.”