Challenger remembered on 25th anniversary January 28 1986

[I WAS Birddog]

Where were you on this day 25 years ago?

I was going between classes at college when I saw it on the TV monitors in the hallways. I couldn't believe it.


http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?secti ... id=7925004

[Hedley]

I was going between classes at college

me too - 4th year. What a tragedy. The Challenger, not my education.

[cdnpilot77]

My grade 3 teacher in Lambeth ontario thought it would be great to watch it live in our class as we were learning the basics of astronomy at the time. Within a few miuntes of the explosion, our class of 20 students had probably close to 50 people in our room watching the aftermath for the rest of the day.

[bizjets101]

I was watching CNN live - with my Mom!! CNN Challenger explosion


Challenger STS-51L


Remains of Shuttle lowered into a Missile Silo at Complex 31 on Cape Canveral Air Force Station.

[aileron]

Grade 6 @ an American school, watched the whole thing on tv with my classmates (most schools were showing this because Christa McAuliffe was a selected crewmember representing school teachers across America following a competition to do so). Absolute shock.

[Siddley Hawker]

That day we were moving into the house we currently occupy. The TV was still plugged in at the old place when a friend called and said to turn on the TV, the space shuttle had just crashed.

[jump154]

I was at an Orchestra practice after school (in the UK). I heard about it on the radio in the car just as we pulled into our driveway on the way home. Still remember that moment clear as day.

[Liquid Charlie]

In Jenpeg and watched it all before taking the crew change back to the peg - that's makes 4 things that will always stick in my mind and know where I was and what I was doing -- other 3 - Kennedy - 911 and a happier one -- Arrow going super sonic when I was in the school yard -

[fleet16b]

Was a teenager working in construction at the time.It was too cold to work that day so we went home.
On the way we heard on the radio that something had happened.
Sped home and spent the rest of the day watching the reports
I can still see the images of the camera panning to poor Christa M's mother's face. She had a look of total shock, fear, heartbreak and questioning if she survived all wrapped up in one. Terrible !!!!!!

This was one of the first if not the first times civilians were included as crew. There was a feeling of hope that space travel for the common man would soon become reality.
School children all over the world saw this unfold
What a sad sad day

[Lurch]

I was in the kitchen watching the launch on our 12" TV about to go to school, elementary, I'm not as old as some of you on here.

I still remember they had the camera on Christa McAuliffe's class when it exploded and the reaction. I don't think I've ever seen that footage since.

Lurch

[it'sme]

Sitting in the pilot's lounge at the old Esso FBO on the northside at CYOW. There was probably 1/2 dozen of us watching it live when it blew apart. I remember distinctly moments after it happened there were the expected sounds of astonishment/horror/surprise from those in the room but quickly overshadowed by a gentleman from south of the border who proclaimed that it was all normal and that we probably just hadn't witnessed enough of these launches. It wasn't long before he skulked out of the room not to be seen for awhile.

[iflyforpie]

My dad told me about it as he was driving me home from Grade 2 class. Saw the footage on the CBC that evening, over and over and over....

[flyalmaguin]

I just got home between exams during highschool....

Flipped the TV on to CNN as it was "new" in our household (and generally new to broadcasting in fact). I remember seeing the camera focussed on the launchpad and thinking to myself "cool, I'll get to see this live" and watching as the launch unfolded. Then the explosion. Then the anchor coming on and stating "that was footage from moments ago at the cape". I did't see it live, but it felt like it, as there was no voice overs on the first replay, as I suspect the anchors were just as stunned as everyone else.

It was the first time in my life that I can remember being so affected by a major news story, probably because it was the early days of instant world news and incessant replays.

It's strangely funny, but I vividly remembered this tradgedy the morning of 9-11 as things unfolded that morning and thought I'd always remember these type of days. Much like my parents remembered JFK being shot and the first moon landing, or my grandparents on VE day. We all have watershed moments in our lives I guess.

[BigglesNBella]

I was only 16 days old!

[VeRmiLLioN]

In Grade 7 french class. Sad.

[Prairie Chicken]

Hmmm, this is a depressing thread for more than just the obvious reason. Many of you were in school; I was well along in my career. I was in a courtroom in Banff listening to a trial concerning a contravention of Air Reg 534. The court took a break & we heard about Challenger in the hallway.