The Challenger Shuttle tragedy happened 34 years ago today. At the time I was in college in Irving, Texas.

I can vividly remember going down to the student commons between class and seeing everyone gathered around the TV screen watching the events unfold. It was a sad day and one that I will always remember.

When I was young I saved newspaper clippings and other items about the Space Program.

Included in that collection are clippings from the Challenger tragedy.

Since I was living in the DFW area the clippings were from the Dallas Times Herald.

The main headlines were:

Shuttle explosion kills crew

Seven die as Challenger disintegrates after launch

The main picture on the first page was provided by CBS News and had the following caption:

Space shuttle Challenger explodes in a ball of fire Tuesday, 71 seconds after liftoff from Cape Canaveral

It was the first of many clippings that I saved about the Challenger tragedy.

I also saved many clippings about the investigations into the tragedy.

My Dad subscribed to U.S. News and World Report and he saved the issue that first covered the Challenger tragedy. I am having good memories as I type this of reading and discussing news with my Dad when I was in High School.

My parents also subscribed to Reader’s Digest. My mom saved an article that appeared a few months later, and I added it to my collection.

I also get my interest in the Space Program from my Grandma. She also saved things about the Space Program and I have shared a few pieces from her scrapbooks in previous posts:

Moon Landing

Friendship 7

Sputnik

Even though I am remembering the sadness of the Challenger tragedy today, I am also having good memories of following the Space Program through the years.

Do you remember where you were that day?

Steven