The Challenger-25 Years Later [VIDEO]

When working on my Back in the Day feature for today I started thinking about the first real U.S. Tragedy that I experienced. It was 25 years ago today that the space shuttle Challenger exploded.  I was 8 years old and I remember the picture so vividly.  We were watching the launch in school.

I mean how does an 8 year old wrap their mind around a tragedy like the Challenger explosion?  As I think about it I realize that you don't.  When it comes to tragedies as a child or as an adult I don't think one ever wraps their head around why it happened.

I remember everyone being so excited about seeing the first teacher, Chirsta McAuliffe, in space.

Christa McAuliffe was scheduled to teach two lessons from the space shuttle. She was part of the NASA Teacher in Space project, selected as its primary candidate in 1985. She won out over 11,500 applicants; NASA officials were reportedly especially impressed with her course on "The American Woman" which she had developed and taught. Barbara Morgan was the backup "Teacher in Space" who also trained with NASA in the astronaut training program.

(via Christa McAuliffe - Teacher in Space.)

Seven people lost their lives in the explosion.  Seven families lost their loved ones.

Today we remember the crew of the Space Shuttle Challenger.

Do you remember the explosion?  Where were you when it happened?   How old were you?  Share your thoughts and memories of with us as remember this day and these brave souls.