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This is a topic from the The 1980's forum on inthe00s.
Subject: Where were you when the Challenger exploded?
Written By: Stevie B. on 01/22/04 at 08:52 p.m.
Isn't it strange, and a little sad,that another space shuttle exploded in early 2003,and the incident is hardly mentioned? Could it be that since this happened before in 1986, another shuttle blowing up in the sky is no big deal anymore? Or maybe it has something to do with other big news stories being in the way such as the war in Iraq,and the threat of terrorism? I do remember what a big deal it was when the Challenger exploded in 1986,and until more tragedies took place such as the McVeigh incident in 1995,the death of Princess Diana in 1997,and of course September 11th 2001,everybody would say "Where were you when the space shuttle Challenger blew up?" I was in the middle of a Social Studies quiz,near the end of my senior year in high school. All of a sudden,our assistant principal knocked on our classroom door,and said "The space shuttle has just exploded,and all the astronauts are dead!" If that was not startling enough,he delivered his message in a very loud,and emotional voice,and had tears streaming down his face. It was the first,and only,time I saw an educator cry in front of his students. Where were you when the Challenger exploded? :( Sincerely,Steve.
Subject: Re: Where were you when the Challenger exploded?
Written By: JennParkandKyan on 01/22/04 at 08:55 p.m.
I was in 4th grade, living in Flagstaff, AZ. I only remember they turned on the TV for us to watch. :-/
Subject: Re: Where were you when the Challenger exploded?
Written By: Secret_Squirrell on 01/22/04 at 09:16 p.m.
I remember that day well, I was buying my first pair of Nike high-tops in a shoe store. I was sitting under a tv display hanging from the roof when I heard the announcer mention that there were no survivors. :(
Subject: Re: Where were you when the Challenger exploded?
Written By: Speedbird12 on 01/22/04 at 09:23 p.m.
I was in the 6th grade, and went home for lunch (townhouse was only a block away from the school), and saw it on the news while I was eating. When I went back to class, the teacher had a tv wheeled in and we watched news footage for awhile.
Subject: Re: Where were you when the Challenger exploded?
Written By: MaxwellSmart on 01/22/04 at 09:41 p.m.
I was in a noisy hallway between classes. The vice-principal got on the PA and announced something about an accident and the space shuttle.
The kids behind me in science class were talking about it, I turned around and said, "The shuttle exploded?" Kathie the bimbo scoffed in her big Massachusetts accent, "What are you, in the dark? Didn't you hear the announcement." An international disaster, and she's still gotta be nasty!
I went home and watched President Reagan's speech on TV. I hated that man with a passion, but d*mn he was a great speaker!
The biggest impression I have of that day, other than footage of the explosion, was a video shot in the auditorium of Concord High School, where Christa McAuliffe taught. The kids had all the party whistles, hats, balloons, and streamers out. Very festive. Their teacher would be the first civilian in space. Then everything went silent. The principal calmly ordered everyone back to their classrooms.
A planetarium in Concord, NH, was named in her honor, The Christa McAuliffe Planetarium.
Subject: Re: Where were you when the Challenger exploded?
Written By: rubixgirl on 01/22/04 at 10:18 p.m.
I was in my 5th grade science class and they made all the teachers stop teaching via the intercom and pulled them into the hallway and then the teachers came back in to tell us what happened. We got to go home early, but no one was excited about that fact. I think we all went home to watch the news. :'(
Subject: Re: Where were you when the Challenger exploded?
Written By: Bill on 01/23/04 at 06:23 a.m.
It must have snowed that day in PA because I wasn't at school, I was across the street at my friend Heidi's house and we were watching MTV (I remember this was the first time I saw Madonna's video for "Material Girl" - now I'm OBSESSED with her!!!) and then we tuned in for the launch. I can remember seeing it explode but didn't really know what was going on. I guess I was too young to understand the tragedy of it. My friend's mom started crying and I knew it had to be bad, but all I wanted to do was go sledding. Isn't that awful? I was only 7, though...
Subject: Re: Where were you when the Challenger exploded?
Written By: bj26 on 01/23/04 at 06:28 a.m.
I was at the office in Denver, and my boss said it blew up, and I registered disbelief at first. I was going to the boss to ask a question about a case, and when he said it blew up, I said huh? and thought to myself, man, I'm trying to figure this case out....and then I thought, what, why, how, it cant just blow up!!!
Subject: Re: Where were you when the Challenger exploded?
Written By: AndrewTalkingWalnut on 01/23/04 at 08:53 a.m.
I believe I was at home with my parents.
Some people may have thought to themselves, it was only a matter of time before something tragic like that happened in the Space Program(NASA)
Subject: Re: Where were you when the Challenger exploded?
Written By: Traciloveslepp on 01/23/04 at 09:31 a.m.
I was in fifth grade, in science class, and we were watching the take off for a project. I have never heard any room as quiet as that room got, untill I saw the 2nd tower fall on 9-11 at the doctors office 2 years ago.
When the Oklahoma bombing happened, I was in the hopital, pregant with my first child, and I remember freaking out bc my uncle worked in that building.
Subject: Re: Where were you when the Challenger exploded?
Written By: Stevie B. on 01/23/04 at 10:07 a.m.
Sounds like all of us were busy living our lives, and all of a sudden, this horrible tragedy happens. I guess when we are teenagers,or younger people,things affect us more. We are more impressionable. The tragic events of the Reagan adminstration will always remain etched in my mind:The Iranian hostage crisis,the President getting shot,the Challenger exploding,etc. 911 made me sad,and stressed out. I was sitting next to a co-worker and she was listening to the news on a walkman radio. She gave us a blow by blow description of the events as they were actually happening! First the Twin Towers were hit,then the Pentagon,and finally a field in Pennsylvania. We all got scared when the radio announcer said there were more hijacked planes headed at various targets,and the next attack,could happen anywhere,anytime,and it might be NUCLEAR! :o All things considered,I think I handled the situation better than I would have as a teen growing up in the 80's. Let's pray the above mentioned events will never happen again. :'( Sincerely,Steve.
Subject: Re: Where were you when the Challenger exploded?
Written By: onaree on 01/23/04 at 10:25 a.m.
I was in 4th grade. I remember there was a big snow on and we were out of school. It was also my cousin's birthday. I remember not totally understanding what happened. I was upset because all they kept showing on the tv was the explosion. I wanted to watch cartoons. ::) It wasn't until later that day when my mom explained the magnitude of what happened that I felt horrible.
Subject: Re: Where were you when the Challenger exploded?
Written By: eightiesfan on 01/23/04 at 10:52 a.m.
I was a high school freshman sitting in my algebra class when I think it was the vice principal announced it over the PA system.
Subject: Re: Where were you when the Challenger exploded?
Written By: Mr_80s on 01/23/04 at 11:45 a.m.
I had just gotten off of a 48 hour shift. I was in the Marines, stationed in California. I was also recently married.
When one of my buddies told me it had blown up, I thought it was just a sick joke at first. We went to a TV in the lounge and saw it on the news. We were all really shaken, because the base I was stationed at had contractors there which actually worked on building the shuttles.
I remember going home, and holding my wife, and we both cried. THat was a tragic day.
Subject: Re: Where were you when the Challenger exploded?
Written By: Steve2891 on 01/23/04 at 01:05 p.m.
It's funny, I remember things that happened before that, but I can't remember this day. I live in Florida, and at the time also. My mom told me, I was with her, coming out of a grocery store, and you could see the smoke from the Challenger exploding, in the sky.
Subject: Re: Where were you when the Challenger exploded?
Written By: eightiesfan on 01/23/04 at 01:07 p.m.
My grandmother lived near Orlando at the time and I guess she happened to see the Challenger explosion as it was happening.
Subject: Re: Where were you when the Challenger exploded?
Written By: Stevie B. on 01/23/04 at 01:51 p.m.
Wow! Did your grandmother see the shuttle explode on tv,or physically at the space station in Orlando,as it blew up? :o Sincerely,Steve.
Subject: Re: Where were you when the Challenger exploded?
Written By: eightiesfan on 01/23/04 at 02:08 p.m.
I don't remember exactly where she said she was but I think she was outside somewhere within viewing distance of the space station.
Subject: Re: Where were you when the Challenger exploded?
Written By: metalchick666 on 01/23/04 at 04:15 p.m.
I was in highschool and home sick that day. I remember lying on my mom's bed and watching it as it happened because all of the channels had cut into regular programming to show the lift-off. I had to call my mom into the room and we were both crying. Up to that point, I hadn't really cared about the mission at all but it was a really emotional thing to watch in real time.
Subject: Re: Where were you when the Challenger exploded?
Written By: atari2600boy on 01/23/04 at 04:43 p.m.
i was in grade 9, it was before the first period of the afternoon. i was waiting outside class when my then friend came up to me with a s**t-eating grin on his face saying that the space shuttle blew up. i didn't believe him. when the teacher showed up, he told us what happened.
Subject: Re: Where were you when the Challenger exploded?
Written By: metalchick666 on 01/23/04 at 05:08 p.m.
I know it's sick and twisted and not very nice at all, but does anyone else remember the jokes about the Challenger explosion? They pretty much went around school starting the next day.
What does NASA stand for?
What color are Kristy McAuliffe's eyes?
Subject: Re: Where were you when the Challenger exploded?
Written By: HersIsAngels on 01/23/04 at 05:37 p.m.
I was in school and I remember Sister Thelma wheeled in the tv and we watched the news and prayed for the astronauts.
Subject: Re: Where were you when the Challenger exploded?
Written By: Dagwood on 01/23/04 at 06:35 p.m.
Quoting:
I was in fifth grade, in science class, and we were watching the take off for a project. I have never heard any room as quiet as that room got, untill I saw the 2nd tower fall on 9-11 at the doctors office 2 years ago.
When the Oklahoma bombing happened, I was in the hopital, pregant with my first child, and I remember freaking out bc my uncle worked in that building.
End Quote
Hey there, Traci! I thought I recognized the av. ;)
I was a Freshman in high school. It was my grandmother's 85th birthday. We were in Algebra class. The principal came over the loudspeaker in tears to tell us. I lived in the town that was supported by Morton Thiokol, the company that makes the O-rings. It was hard on our little town.
Subject: Re: Where were you when the Challenger exploded?
Written By: SmithsGirl on 01/23/04 at 09:39 p.m.
I was in the livingroom of my house, watching t.v at the time, when a newsflash came on the screen. What a surreal, sad day :'(
SmithsGirl
Subject: Re: Where were you when the Challenger exploded?
Written By: MaxwellSmart on 01/23/04 at 10:00 p.m.
Quoting:
I know it's sick and twisted and not very nice at all, but does anyone else remember the jokes about the Challenger explosion? They pretty much went around school starting the next day.
What does NASA stand for?
What color are Kristy McAuliffe's eyes?
End Quote
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Oh, it's one of those Challenger jokes. I can't remember the punchline.
Where did Christa McAuliffe spend her vacation?
All over Florida. ;D
Subject: Re: Where were you when the Challenger exploded?
Written By: onaree on 01/24/04 at 08:25 a.m.
Quoting:
I know it's sick and twisted and not very nice at all, but does anyone else remember the jokes about the Challenger explosion? They pretty much went around school starting the next day.
What does NASA stand for?
What color are Kristy McAuliffe's eyes?
End Quote
I don't remember the first joke, but the second one was "blue. One blew that way and the other blew that way."
Subject: Re: Where were you when the Challenger exploded?
Written By: atari2600boy on 01/24/04 at 09:00 a.m.
the punchline was: Need Another Seven Astronauts.
when those jokes were flying around i remember a news item on them. it was the first time i heard of the expression, gallow's humour.
Subject: Re: Where were you when the Challenger exploded?
Written By: Mr_80s on 01/24/04 at 09:00 a.m.
Of course, we can't forget this one...
Why did'nt Kristi take a shower before she went up in the shuttle?
She thought she would wash up on shore the next morning.
Subject: Re: Where were you when the Challenger exploded?
Written By: CatwomanofV on 01/24/04 at 10:37 a.m.
I was in the Air Force and stationed in San Antonio, TX at the time. Next to my office was a conference room that had a t.v. During lunch, a lot people would go in there to eat and watch the soaps. It was lunch time that day when someone came into my office and told us about the shuttle. We all headed into the conference room to watch. I remember thinking, "Maybe they survived. Maybe they survived." I know it was wishful thinking.
Most of us in S.A. felt akin to the shuttle since they used to land quite frequently. When they first started landing there, there were big announcements that the shuttle was coming and the local media and many specators would go out to watch it. We had all saw one of the shuttles a few times. I remember going to the grocery store one day, getting out of the car and looking up and there was the shuttle coming in for a landing. I didn't know that it was supposed to be there that day. (I guess by that time is was old news and they didn't announce it.) I'm not too sure if that was the Challenger or one of the others.
Cat
Subject: Re: Where were you when the Challenger exploded?
Written By: PhiKapDave on 01/24/04 at 07:59 p.m.
I was a freshman in high school. I was in history class and our assistant principal announced the news over the P.A. system. I was just shocked. I remember some of my classmates laughing because they thought it was a joke. Our teacher was VERY P.O.'d at that and really let the class have it. I also remember them turning on the TV for us to watch it.
Subject: Re: Where were you when the Challenger exploded?
Written By: onaree on 01/26/04 at 07:47 a.m.
Another joke I remember:
What was Christa McAuliff's favorite shampoo?
Head and Shoulders.
Now that I think of these jokes, the humor was a little tasteless.
Subject: Re: Where were you when the Challenger exploded?
Written By: the_OlLine_Rebel on 01/26/04 at 09:37 a.m.
I was in Chemistry class at lab when our teacher popped in and told us, and that we could go down the hall to a class w/TV. We watched for a while. I was sad, esp. thinking about all the attention lavished on the "civilian" teacher who was going on the flight. Thinking about her family and her students and the other kids in her school who had to watch this unfold live in front of them, really excited - they were all in assembly watching, as I recall. It was almost as if paying so much attention to her, interviews w/her family and students, etc, as the odd-ball civilian who wasn't trained for this had doomed it. So sad. :(
Subject: Re: Where were you when the Challenger exploded?
Written By: Secret_Squirrell on 01/26/04 at 06:48 p.m.
Yeah, i've heard a few off-colour "Challenger" jokes.
Like, what did they hear after "Roger. We're go for throttle-up" when they enhanced the audio tapes?
"Let's let the little woman fly" or variations to the theme like "what does this button do?" or "what happens when I push the button labelled "Sun Roof"?".
But seriously, if memory serves me correctly, there was one word recovered in the recording, that was "Whoops". No joke. And another recording done by Christa McAuliffe was recovered and it's a pretty horrible thing, unfortunately. Good luck finding the transcripts for it. It was printed once (I have it somewhere in an old news clipping I saved back then) and then sealed by family request and governmental pressure.
Subject: Re: Where were you when the Challenger exploded?
Written By: Stevie B on 01/26/04 at 08:51 p.m.
Interesting stuff Secret Squirrel. Is this recording something she said before the shuttle was launched, or was it made while it was blasting off? Was it on hard-copy or audio? If you don't feel comfortable sharing this, I will understand. Thanks for the memories! Sincerely,Steve.
Subject: Re: Where were you when the Challenger exploded?
Written By: Sue1015 on 01/26/04 at 08:52 p.m.
I was a Sr. in H.S. Wow! That seems like a long time ago! lol
I was in the pod taking my required Political Science class then every class in there came out to watch the TV coverage of the Challenger. I remember we all thought it was cool because the teacher was onboard.
Then came the shocking moments! Some people were crying; others hugging...mostly people were just shocked!
A very sad day indeed.
Subject: Re: Where were you when the Challenger exploded?
Written By: Stevie B on 01/26/04 at 08:59 p.m.
Interesting stuff Secret Squirrel. Is this recording something she said before the shuttle was launched, or was it made while it was blasting off? Was it on hard-copy or audio? If you don't feel comfortable sharing this, I will understand. Thanks for the memories! Sincerely,Steve.
Subject: Re: Where were you when the Challenger exploded?
Written By: bloviatrix on 01/26/04 at 09:37 p.m.
Quoting:
Isn't it strange, and a little sad,that another space shuttle exploded in early 2003,and the incident is hardly mentioned? Could it be that since this happened before in 1986, another shuttle blowing up in the sky is no big deal anymore? Or maybe it has something to do with other big news stories being in the way such as the war in Iraq,and the threat of terrorism? I do remember what a big deal it was when the Challenger exploded in 1986 End Quote
Obviously, one reason it was a bigger deal in 1986 was the fact that this was the first time it happened. Also, it was the first mission to carry a civilian, a schoolteacher no less, so lots of kids were watching in the classroom that morning. End of lesson.
I myself was travelling by train through Italy on that day between Rome and Florence. We never really stopped at a newsstand and even though we were plainly American, no one said anything to us. I didn't discover what happened until I boarded my Alitalia flight the following Sunday and saw a copy of USA Today.
~bloviator
Subject: Re: Where were you when the Challenger exploded?
Written By: bloviatrix on 01/26/04 at 09:42 p.m.
Quoting:
the punchline was: Need Another Seven Astronauts.
when those jokes were flying around i remember a news item on them. it was the first time i heard of the expression, gallow's humour.
End Quote
Before the World Wide Web, it was guys with trading desks on Wall Street who generally came up with the off-color jokes at a time of tragedy and spread them around the country quickly.
Those jokers were pretty quiet on 9/11, I'll tell you that.
~bloviator
Subject: Re: Where were you when the Challenger exploded?
Written By: OptimusPrime on 01/27/04 at 05:15 a.m.
I remember seeing the news story on John Craven's Newsround (BBC children's news show in the UK) in the afternoon. I was shocked and upset at the time, and years later, I still read articles and information about the "anomaly" (as NASA people like to call severe problems; or "catastrophic failure, as the Challenger disaster was called back in 1986).