Today in History

January 28, 1986 - One of the most tragic days in American space exploration history. The space shuttle Challenger exploded shortly after liftoff from Cape Canaveral in Florida. I was in kindergarten at the time, watching it live on television in the school library. I have vague memories of it, but do remember a group of very stunned and upset 5 year olds, although I don't know how much we really understood what was going on, just that something bad had happened.

Challenger Memorial at Arlington National Cemetary