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A somber United States remembers its 35th president, John F. Kennedy, who was assassinated in Dallas, Texas, 50 years ago Friday.

Flags were flown at half-mast as events were held in Washington, D.C., and in Dallas at the site where JFK was shot during a parade on November 22, 1963.

At a special ceremony at Dealey Plaza, Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings used the opportunity to reflect on his city's role in one of the most memorable events in U.S. history.

"A new era dawned and another waned a half a century ago when hope and hatred collided right here in Dallas," Rawlings said. "We watched the nightmarish reality that in our front yard our president had been taken from us, taken from his family, taken from the world."

Prayer, song and tears marked the commemoration as JFK was remembered by figures such as author-historian David McCullough as a leader who strived for raising the country to reach its best.

"As he himself said,