Thousands of people are gathering throughout the day along the downtown street in Dallas, Texas, where President John F. Kennedy was assassinated 40 years ago.
President Kennedy was shot and killed as he rode in an open car (a convertible) through Dallas during a political stop in 1963. His death at 46 stunned the world.
Mourners milled about Dealey Plaza Saturday to share remembrances, contribute to a makeshift memorial and observe an "X" painted on the road to mark the spot where the president's limousine was passing when he was struck.
At Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, President Kennedy's last surviving child, Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg, visited her father's grave with her family and her father's brother, Ted Kennedy.
After the family left, members of the public came with flowers and American flags to leave at the President's grave.
President Bush said in a statement that President Kennedy "welcomed great responsibilities, and had a gift for awakening the idealism and sense of duty in others." He said memories of Mr. Kennedy still make Americans proud, and on this day they still suffer a feeling of loss that defies the passing of the years.
Information for this report is provided by AFP.