This years open class program is entitled JFK, and is centered around a single moment in time. One of the most famous incidents in the world took the life of a Man destined for greatness.

He was the youngest man ever elected president and his youthful exuberance gave the nation a contagious spirit of freshness and vitality. From the moment he delivered his stirring inaugural address on a bright cold January day in 1961 John F. Kennedy became an icon in the romantic imagination of the American People. He was a man in the prime of life when he traveled to Dallas, Texas in November 1963 on a routine political fence mending mission to help shore up his chances for re election as president the following year. At about 12.30 on the afternoon of November 22nd he was riding in an open convertible with his Wife through down town Dallas, waving to cheering crowds when the unthinkable occurred. An unforgettable event that would haunt and define the turbulent Decade to come.

While most Americans were not at home in front of their televisions that fateful Friday afternoon, CBS newsman Walter Cronkite earned his place in television history with a broadcast interruption that has become inextricably attached to the memory of that horrible event. At 2.38pm eastern standard time his voice cracking, he delivered the shocking news.

John F. Kennedy was mortally wounded from shots fired from a high powered rifle. He died within an hour.

When John Kennedy died, the optimistic spirit of the new frontier seem to perish with him but the turmoil which would mark the rest of the 60's Decade had only just begun.

2006 Open Class Show Music (you can right mouse click ans "save target as" to download this music or click to play)