Last Wednesday was the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy. He had just won the California primary and was on his way to possibly securing the Democratic nomination to run for President. It was 1968 and I was ten-years-old. This was the first election I ever had any interest in and I wanted Robert Kennedy to win. He was young, charming, funny and he had a Beatles haircut!
When he got assassinated it was the second experience that started to sour the ’60’s dream of peace and love that was in the air a year earlier during the 1967 “Sumer of Love.” The first was when Martin Luther King was shot and killed in April of 1968. Then Richard Nixon won the Presidential election in 1968. A year later Altamont and the Manson murders did more to unhinge the ’60’s idealism. Then on May 4th, 1970 when the kids at Kent State got shot and killed by our own National Guardsmen the 60’s dream turned into a nightmare.
I’ve got six links to online articles about the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy and then there’s the weekly MBIP Coming Attractions.
The assassination of Robert Kennedy, as told 50 years later - This story includes personal memories from people who were at The Ambassador Hotel in California the day of the assassination.
The last days of Bobby Kennedy: a photographer's view by Harry Benson - Harry Benson was famous photo journalist in the ‘60’s who did a lot of work for Life magazine. He was on the campaign trail with Kennedy and has some great photos of the days leading up to assassination and some gruesome shots that he snapped moments after the shooting.
Sean Kirst: On Buffalo wedding day, couple's surprise gift from Bobby Kennedy - This story has nothing to do with Kennedy’s assassination, but it’s such a great story I thought I’d include it.
‘Those he touched’: Ted Kennedy’s heartbreaking eulogy for his slain brother, Bobby - This article includes the classic Robert Kennedy quote: “Some men see things as they are and say why. I dream things that never were and say why not.”
Robert F. Kennedy Timeline - A quick timeline with photos and highlights from his life.
Two of Robert Kennedy's children want new investigation into his death - There’s always been talk that a second gunman was involved and Robert Kennedy, Jr. and his sister want the investigation re-opened for further investigation.
The second Lou’s Drive-In has opened in East Peoria and I went there last night and got photos of the place of and of my tenderloin basket and root beer and those will be posted tomorrow. Tuesday marks the second week of 13 months of chicken dinners and this week my dad and I were joined by my friends Amber and Joe and we went to yet another Italian restaurant to sample a unique chicken dish. The Palace Theater on Main Street closed and was torn down in 1980. I’m going to have photos of that theater and another historic Palace Theater that is still standing in a nearby town on Wednesday.Thursday and Friday we’ll be posting the semi-weekly People of Peoria and Frozen Food Friday series and then it’ll be time for more Saturday Suggestions. Have a funny Sunday and we’ll see you all tomorrow.
Related Posts: Sunday Links: The Runaways, John Lennon’s Lost Weekend and Philip Seymour Hoffman.