Where Were You During the Challenger Tragedy?
A look back at an event that shocked the nation.
Twenty-seven years ago today, America witnessed the tragic explosion of the space shuttle Challenger. Delayed by almost a week, the shuttle mission on Jan. 28, 1986, was especially momentous, as it marked the launch of President Ronald Reagan's Teacher in Space Project. Concord, NH, teacher Christa McAuliffe was onboard the shuttle to become the first civilian teacher in space. A little more than a minute after launch, the shuttle exploded and broke apart, killing all seven crew members onboard. Later reports revealed that a faulty O-ring had been the cause of the distaster. Millions of Americans watched the tragedy unfold on TV, including many students because of McCauliffe's role in the mission. Where were you during the Challenger …
Alice Perras
10:49 am on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
With my husband stationed with the Commander of the Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor, I was a teacher at Schofield Elementary School in Wahiawa, Oahu, Hawaii. Like many Americans and schools across the country, our school was also watching the historic moment of the launch, with the first teacher aboard, lift into space. With the explosion, our campus had heavy hearts as a deafening hush cover it … more ›