Today is January 28th, 2011, which also happens to be the 25th anniversary of the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster. Twenty-five years ago today, the Space Shuttle Challenger took off from the Kennedy Space Center, only to explode a mere 73 seconds after it took off. The Challenger disaster killed seven astronauts, including beloved school teacher, Christa McAuliffe.
Where were you during the Challenger explosion? Do you remember watching it happen on TV?
The Space Shuttle Challenger disaster is one of those epic moments in history that is ingrained in my memory. I will always remember sitting in the library of my elementary school as the TV was wheeled in for us to watch the Challenger launch. I was eight years old, and honestly, when I saw the Challenger explosion on the television set, I really had no idea what had happened.
I could see the looks of panic and distress on the faces of my teachers, and realized that the huge puff of smoke I was seeing on the screen was not supposed to be there. One of them abruptly shut off the television, and we were ushered quickly out of the library and back to our classrooms.
On the 25th anniversary of the Space Shuttle Challenger tragedy, we should all take a moment to remember the seven people who lost their lives. My thoughts and prayers are with their loved ones today.
