JACKIE KENNEDY INTERVIEWED BY THEODORE WHITE, RECALLS SOUND OF SHOT
Hyannis Port, Massachusetts (JFK+50) On December 4, 1963, The Evening Star published the Associated Press's 'Epilogue For Kennedy' by Theodore H. White*.
Mr. White interviews the widow of the late President John F. Kennedy, Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy, here in Hyannis Port.
Mrs. Kennedy recalls "the sound of the shot...like the sound of a backfire..."
She says...
"I keep thinking of...this line from a musical comedy...'Don't let it be forgot, that once there was a spot, for one brief shining moment that was known as Camelot**.'
There'll be great President's again--but there'll never be another Camelot..."
*Theodore Harold White (1915-1986) was born in Boston, Massachusetts to Russian immigrants who changed their names to 'White' after a Boston department store.
THW earned his BA in history at Harvard University, 1932 & became a writer at Time Magazine. He authored The Making of the President 1960 & The Making of the President 1964.
JFK+50 COMMENT
Mrs. Kennedy's comments became the basis for the historical association of JFK's 'New Frontier' with 'Camelot.' She wanted to be sure her husband would not be forgotten because his term in office was cut short. Jackie more than achieved that goal.
If we were to go back to JFK's time, however, the mention of 'Camelot' would evoke visions of the legendary days of King Arthur and the popular Broadway play rather than the Kennedy administration.
SOURCE
"For One Brief Shining Moment There Was Camelot," by Theodore H. White, The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., December 4, 1963, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
