By Ricky Rieckert
Dear readers,
Happy New Year!
This week, I’m going to recall a memorable event that happened in Downtown Aurora.
October 25, 1960, John F. Kennedy (JFK) visited Aurora, during his presidential campaign. He spoke to a large crowd outside of the original City Hall about economic growth, national defense, and the role of the U.S. internationally, as part of a larger swing through Illinois suburbs.
During the visit his motorcade drove past the former Marmion Military Academy on Lake Street at Illinois Avenue (The Prisco Center today). The motorcade stopped near Marmion where JFK famously paused as Marmion students presented him with an autographed football.
The motorcade continued to the original City Hall on Fox Street (Downer Place). He was given the ceremonial key to the City by mayor Paul Egan before speaking from the City Hall steps, to a crowd estimated between 12,000 and 15,000, who braved a light rain to see the popular candidate.
Kennedy addressed concerns about jobs, highlighting local concerns about industrial jobs and economic challenges, leaving a memorable mark on the City’s history.
Kennedy added some campaign humor that day with the rain and joked with the crowd, stating, “Fortunately, as the Bible tells us, it rains on the just and the unjust. There are some Republicans here, and it is raining on them, too”.
Although he lost Aurora and the surrounding Fox Valley region in the election, he won Illinois by a narrow margin, ultimately securing the presidency.
I was just three months old when JFK came to Aurora. What I do remember, was in 1963, at four years old, I was watching cartoons at home around 10 a.m. and a flash came across the television, “The president has been shot.”
I switched channels and every channel had it. In those days, it was a black and white screen, with channels; 2,5,7,9 and 11 and you had to use the dial to change.
Boy was I mad. I went running to my mom screaming. I didn’t even know anything about the president, except he messed up my cartoons for the day, so I went outside to play.
In 2020, Aurora commemorated the 60th anniversary of JFK’s visit, and local historical societies continue to archive photos and personal memories from that day.
It will always be remembered as a key moment in local history, with photos and accounts preserved by the Aurora Historical Society and the JFK Library.
Have a great week!