Everyone's life is touched by events so significant that they can remember exactly where they were when they heard the news. Many people, older than I am, vividly remember the day President Kennedy was shot. The day World War II began, ended. There have not been many events with those levels of significance in my life, but even so there have been too many. I will always remember September 11, 2001. I also remember watching on television the first night Baghdad was bombed during the Persian Gulf War. Still, the one with the most impact for me was the first such event I recall. The day the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded 72 seconds after liftoff on January 28, 1986, killing all 7 astronauts aboard.
My mother always watched the news in the morning before I went to school. That morning I woke up, went downstairs and watched the televised news during breakfast. I was 10. Within minutes of the explosion, I saw the first pictures on the television that I will never forget. We can probably all recall that video right now. I took the news to school, but nobody believed me. As I insisted it was true, I was actually punished for lying! Then people realized I was not lying, and as a class we talked about it. The Space Shuttle program made the news more in the late 80's than it does these days; I suppose people take the procedure for granted. It seems anything but routine.
I wrote the first 2 paragraphs here on January 28, 2003. I was reflecting upon how there are days I can remember so many details about, because of the significant events of that day – both public and private. I'd read that Tuesday of last month was the 17 year anniversary of the Challenger disaster and I was surprised at all the details I remember from that day. I wrote this not really expecting to post it publicly. Things change.
This morning I woke up, went downstairs and turned on the news during breakfast. The first thing I saw was video footage of the Challenger explosion 17 years ago. Then there was new footage of another explosion. Today the Space Shuttle Columbia burned up at 200 000 feet reentering our atmosphere. Again 7 astronauts were lost. Again everyone's attention is drawn to the space program.
I have always wanted to go into space. I suppose that isn't a rare desire by any means. I know that I never will, but the fact that others do and have the courage to face the challenges in so doing allows me to vicariously live the experience.
I will remember the details of today.