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:
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
Braman's Wanderings 