It was a day, more than 50 years ago, frozen in memories, at least for those of us old enough to now remember. I was 15 at the time and mesmerized by every facet of the Kennedy “magic.” In school, we ran our own presidential elections, actively campaigning throughout the student body of our junior high school. Such excitement and involvement in politics for hundreds of awkward teens in a hurry to grow up and head, full force, into life.
Most girls wanted to be like Jackie Kennedy; everything she wore seemed perfect. We copied her hairstyles, teasing hair into similar bouffant/bob-shapes with the little upward curve on one or both sides along with indecent amounts of Aqua-Net to keep it all in place.
We sat glued to our televisions watching every moment of the Inaugural Ball in January of 1961, enjoying the pomp and circumstance of the event, eager to catch every glimpse of Jackie in her elegant designer gown.
Throughout the years, public fascination with her never ended; she personified elegance and dignity through many personal tragedies. Everyone who remembers, who followed her every footstep, would agree that Jackie Kennedy Onassis will forever be a style icon for the ages as well as the most glamorous first lady in history.
It was…Camelot. A love story which ended all too soon on Friday, November 22nd, 1963, then…. simply disappeared into history.
“And so, my fellow Americans; ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”
