Video: 'Dec. 22, 1963 | LBJ Leads Candlelight Memorial to JFK'

(Sunday, December 22, 1963, 4:00 p.m. EST) — Thousands of candles burned bright in the gathering dusk of Washington tonight as the nation ended 30-day period of mourning for U.S. President John F. Kennedy, who was assassinated one month ago today in Dallas, Texas.

Sheltered against a biting wind on winter’s first day, they symbolized that the late president’s ideals were still aglow in the world.

Video: 'December 22, 1963 - Candlelight Memorial Service for President John F. Kennedy'

Bareheaded and coatless, President Lyndon B. Johnson told more than 14,000 gathered at the Lincoln Memorial and the nation by radio and television that Kennedy “died a martyr’s death. The world will not forget what he did here.”

‘”So let us here on this Christmas night determine that John Kennedy did not live or die in vain, that this Nation under God shall have a new birth of freedom, and that we may achieve in our time and for all time the ancient vision of peace on earth, good will toward all men.”

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Tonight’s ceremony was followed by a lighting of the Christmas tree in front of the White House.

Starting the next day, Dec. 23, 1963, American flags were raised from half-staff to full-staff once again.