Final answer:
After President Kennedy's assassination, Americans were deeply saddened, mourning the loss of their leader and questioning the future of his vision for civil rights and the nation. The whole country was in a state of shock, which was reflected across various media outlets and in public sentiment.
Step-by-step explanation:
Examining images of Americans after President Kennedy's assassination reveals a nation in deep mourning. The tragedy on November 22, 1963, where Kennedy was fatally shot in Dallas, Texas, had a profound impact on the country. Americans were united in their shock and grief, as reflected by the enduring sorrow and disbelief captured in photographs and television footage of the event.
President Kennedy represented a youthful optimism and a vision for civil rights and progress which, at his death, many felt would remain unfulfilled. The nation watched live on television as Walter Cronkite announced the president's death and later as Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson was swiftly sworn in, ensuring the durability of the government. However, the Warren Commission's report on Kennedy's assassination left many Americans unconvinced, giving rise to numerous conspiracy theories.
The nation's response was not one of celebration nor relief but one of collective grief and, for many, a sense of lost potential. Thus, among the provided options, the most accurate would be (b) They were deeply saddened and mourned the loss of their president.