Truly, the world of post-WWII American optimism and confidence came to a
shattering end with that news. I can't remember a blacker national
Thanksgiving than the four days that followed. The only thing like it in my
lifetime was 9/11.

Brian O'Neill

I was a sophmore in high school at the time and had a similar
experience. I was in biology classwhen the first annoncement came
through and had moved on to English class for the second.

Even though this was a public school where over half of us were
Protestant, like myself, there was a stunned silence. Afterword, my
english teahcer said that she had never heard us so quiet (she had
assigned a theme) and never wanted to again. Honestly, I don't remember
anything after the second announcement until the processions began. I
assume school was dismissed early and that I got home but I remember
none of that.

I certainly agree about the end of American optimism and confidence. I
also agree with the comparison to 9/11. The shock went beyond words.
Looking at the pictures brought a lot of that back.