Many of us will always remember where we were the day the Challenger exploded.
The terrible mid-air explosion was caught on camera as the world watched the fateful launch 35 years ago. Just over a minute after it took off, the shuttle suffered major malfunctions and was destroyed mid-flight on January 28, 1986, killing everyone on board.
To remember the crew, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) posted this touching video on January 28:
35 years ago today, the space shuttle Challenger and all seven crew members aboard were lost. On this Day of Remembrance, we honor the Challenger crew and all who gave their lives while furthering the cause of exploration and discovery: https://t.co/9qEnFCzLSv#NASARemembers pic.twitter.com/652yHJ1qmq
— NASA (@NASA) January 28, 2021
One crew member, in particular, Christa McAuliffe, was particularly lauded as the first teacher who would ever go into space. Perhaps because of her, school children all over the country and their teachers were tuned in for the launch at school.
Today we remember teacher & astronaut Christa McAuliffe ('78), the 1st civilian selected by @NASA to travel to space onboard the Space Shuttle #Challenger which tragically exploded during its launch on 1/28/86. We honor our alumna's legacy with a residence hall bearing her name. pic.twitter.com/7Cdrp27pEf
— Bowie State University (@BowieState) January 28, 2021
People are taking to Twitter to share their memories of where they were on that terrible day.
On this day in 1986, I witnessed the horrific loss of Space Shuttle #Challenger, while watching the launch in person at Cape Canaveral.🚀
— Dena Grayson, MD, PhD (@DrDenaGrayson) January 28, 2021
My dad—who worked in Mission Control—didn’t return home for 2 days. When he did, it was the first time I saw him cry.#RIP, brave souls.🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/2xK18vvSRW
“Slipped the surly bonds of Earth to touch the face of God.”
— Morgan Saxton (@KUTVMorgan) January 28, 2021
U.S. President Ronald Reagan addressing the nation 35 years ago today after the #Challenger explosion. pic.twitter.com/tGt0yoNcsQ
Do you recall where you were on the day the Challenger launched? Share your memories in the comments.