Nov. 23, 1963 | LBJ Proclaims National Day of Mourning for JFK

Nov. 23, 1963 - Lyndon B. Johnson, the new President of the United States, issued a proclamation today designating a national day of mourning for his slain predecessor. In one of his first official actions, Mr. Johnson called on all Americans to go to their churches on Monday and pay the “homage of love and reverence” to the memory of John F. Kennedy. He also ordered all Federal offices in the country to close on that day, the day of Mr. Kennedy’s funeral. Mr. Johnson’s day was one of brisk activity. Through 9:15 p.m., when he went home, the President’s day was filled with intelligence briefings, conferences with top officials on foreign and defense policies, a meeting with the Cabinet, talks with former Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower and Harry S. Truman, a session with legislative leaders of both parties, a visit with Mr. Kennedy’s widow, and an interlude of prayer in St. John’s Episcopal Church across Lafayette Square from the White House.

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