UPDATE January 28, 2026...I just realized that today marks the 40th anniversary of the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster, so I wanted to repost this post that I wrote back in 2019 to remember this day. I will make updates as needed in the post...
Today I am reposting this to take you back in time to a sad, sad day in the history of our nation...Thirty Three years ago today 40 years ago today, 1/28/1986, we were all horrified as we watched the Space Shuttle Challenger blow up as it was launched into space, with 7 courageous, wonderful crew members on board. I'm sure all of us who were living at that time can remember where we were when this disastrous tragedy occurred. I was living in Gainesville, Georgia, and our kids were out of school for the day due to an unusually extremely frigid, below freezing morning. We actually were visiting with some friends so our kids could have something to do when the news came on the TV...and from then on our eyes were glued to the set as our hearts were breaking.
My mother and father were at their home in Tavares, Florida, the home I grew up in, and one advantage to their home was that one could always get a good view of the rocket/space shuttle launches from the back yard...even though Cape Kennedy (Canaveral) was some 100 miles away from our home.
Because this particular launch was to be so historical, my mother was right there watching with her camera in hand (I wonder where I got that trait????), and now I am privileged to have these shapshots, with my mother's own written narrative on the back of each picture, telling the sad and tragic story of the explosion of the Space Shuttle Challenger. Therefore, I am sharing this bit of history with you today, on the 33rd 40th anniversary of that horrific event. I hope you can decipher my mother's handwriting...and can sense the horror she felt as she witnessed this sorrowful disaster. I'm sorry the photos aren't clearer, but they are pretty good for 1986.
I will let my mother's notes explain each preceding picture:
"Lift up your eyes to the heavens,
and look on the earth beneath.
For the heavens will vanish away like smoke,
The earth will grow old like a garment,
And those who dwell in it will die in like manner;
But MY salvation will be forever,
And My righteousness will not be abolished."
Isaiah 51:6
"I, even I, am He who comforts you."
Isaiah 51:12a
Internet Photo from Facebook 1/28/2026
Pam, thank you for this reminder of that very sad day when tragedy struck The Challenger and those brave souls inside it.
ReplyDeleteI do remember that sad day, I was watching as it went up and then......
ReplyDeleteSo Sad!
That was a very, very sad day. I remember it well. I was at work and everyone was in shock. They let us turn on the tv so we could watch the terrible news.
ReplyDeleteOh my, what historic photos! I remember watching the TV and seeing this. I remember the first school teacher to be part of the crew. So very sad.
ReplyDeleteThank your for sharing your mother's pictures.
ReplyDeleteSuch sad memories, photos and letters Pamela. I remember that day very well. None of us were able to do anything but watch the tragedy on TV and we spent the whole day praying for all those involved. It was a day of tears. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI was watching it while on my morning walk and listening on my portable radio while I walked, when all of a sudden I saw it explode. I instantly knew "something" was wrong! I hurried back to the house to watch the TV coverage! A sad,sad day!!
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, such a sad and tragic day, etched in my mind's eye. Thank you for sharing your mother's photos with us as we remember those courageous souls who were willing to put it all on the line for the progress of our country.
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Pamela!
Yes, I remember that day and where I was. We all gathered round the little TV at work in silence to watch and listen. It was horrifying. What a great thing to have those photos and your mother's notes. Wow.
ReplyDeletePam, Thank you for this reminder of a truly tragic day in our nation's history. I remember this well. I was in junior high (eighth grade) and heard about it in class; I remember walking by a science classroom where the teacher had placed a TV where it could be seen in the hallway. Thank you for sharing you mother's photos.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
I was at work and remember how devastating it was for our country. Thanks for sharing your Mom's personal account. So very sad!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this story with me by photos and texst.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness! What a powerful post. What a very awful day that was.
ReplyDeleteEveryone was in tears.
I remember that day like it was yesterday. So very sad.
ReplyDeleteIt was a very sad day Pam. I remember being at home that day with sick little ones. I was sitting on my couch with my kids and I just couldn't believe it! Just moments I was seeing happy, smiling faces as they walked their final walk to board the shuttle. In the twinkling of any eye......Hugs and blessings my friend, Cindy
ReplyDeleteOh Pam! This is stunning but not in a good way. What a horrific feeling that must have been for your parents to see that, even from 100 miles away.
ReplyDeleteWe were living in Northern Virginia at the time. My kids were not in school, either. I think it was a teacher work day or something like that. We were at the mall and walked past an electronics store that had all the TVs turned out with the shuttle accident. That's how we found out. As soon as I realized what was happening, I scuttled my 3 children back out of the store to a railing and we bowed our heads to pray for the situation. My children were ages 13, 11, and 9 at the time.
Thank you for your thoughts and comments, Barbara. Our kids were 15, 13, and 9. Interesting that we each have two children the same age! And yes, it was a terrible thing to witness. We also prayed.
DeleteCorrection: the TVs in the store were turned ON (not out).
ReplyDeleteAmazing documentation of a sad day. I was living in Orlando at the time and you sure could see all the launches when they went up. I was at work that day and we and our customers all stepped out into the parking lot to watch the launch. I remember when there was that puff of smoke and then the trail went in two directions....one of my coworkers said "something's not right." We ran inside and pulled the TV from the breakroom and put it on the front counter. We and anyone who came in the store was glued to the coverage.
ReplyDeleteI know how horrified we all were that day, regardless of whether we were watching "close by", as you and my parents were, or even from the television. Much like the horror we felt on 9-11. Just an unbelievable tragedy. Thank you for your comments today. Do you still live in Florida? We live in Salt Springs.
DeletePam: I remember that day. I had an early morning appt. for x-rays,the kind you have to prepare for. I was laying on the couch watching cable channels on television. When I turned over to regular broadcast networks, I heard of the disaster. I believe it was the first time I wondered about any one who died and the condition of their souls with God.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this again, Pam. I remember this tragic event well--it was huge news at my junior high (I was in eighth grade)--actually it was huge national news. Events like this change us, hopefully for the better.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
My first teaching job was At Ronald McNair Jr high in Lake City, SC…I was fulfilling my 40 plus year dream in a school named after one who lived his. I then turned to teaching high school, more degrees, and ended teaching high school and university.I miss it every day. Best job…it is good to remember this date. I continued to tell my students for the 18 1/2 years I taught about this man, this school, this tragedy. Brenda. Yes I am in Indy with single digits..do I mind? No.
ReplyDeleteWow, that is very interesting, Brenda. I just looked up that school and Ronald McNair. What an amazing man and story. So very sad his life was cut short by this terrible tragedy. I know those of us who were alive at time will never forget that day. Thank you for visiting here today...it's good to hear from you again and know that you are enjoying being back "home in Indiana", even if it is so cold! Blessings to you today! It's good to hear from you!!
DeleteAll these years later my heart still aches. ðŸ˜
ReplyDeleteYes, to me this was like 9-11. Such a horrific tragedy that shocked the whole world.
DeleteI remember watching it on TV, it was heartbreaking. These photos left me speechless. Your mom captured an incredible moment in history, thank you for sharing them.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Cindy. Yes, it was always a big deal to watch the rockets being sent up from my parents' back yard. This one was certainly going to be historic even without what happened next, so my mother was out there watching and taking pictures, and then everything went crazy. We will all never forget that day.
DeleteWOW! Forty years ago. That seems impossible, more like it was five years ago. I remember that day and how devastated we all were. It was and still is, heartbreaking.
ReplyDeleteBlessings and hugs,
Betsy
I know. It's unbelievable that was 40 years ago. It was such a horrific tragedy, and with so many school children watching it on TV. We will never forget.
DeleteWonderful photos, Pamela. Thank you for sharing this reminder. It was very sad that this happened 😢
ReplyDeleteYes it was a very sad day. Those of us who saw it will never forget!
DeleteI was out walking down the sidewalk facing East while listening to my radio when I saw it happen. At that time, the radio announcers starting saying something was wrong. Then the terrible news. I went back to the house, turned on the TV and watched what a terrible day!
ReplyDeleteThis is Doris, your sister!
DeleteI remember that day so well. I was at work, we had a tv in our department and watched that terrible tragedy happen. The entire department sit stunned and silent, it took a while before anyone could speak.
ReplyDeleteOh my, I got such chills reading your mother's account and seeing the pictures.
ReplyDeleteWhat a sad, tragedy. I do remember it like it was yesterday too.
Yes, in the twinkling of an eye life changed.
(((hugs)))
Sue
Wow. What an interesting and sobering post, Pam! (and I even saw my comments made in 2019!) I could not read your mother's handwriting, but I got the gist of what she was saying. Thank you for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteSteve was on "the JTB", a bridge in Jacksonville, heading towards the Beaches in his company truck when that happened. He was horrified as he watched the entire event unfold because being a long-time Floridian and that had watched many launches, he knew something was terribly wrong. I was at work in a business office and heard about it later as the news trickled in. I remember sitting down and feeling a little numb for a bit. It was such a shock. So sad for the families of the crew.
ReplyDeleteYour Mom took good photos of what happened considering the camera was a "point and shot" style. She had a steady hand and knew how to pan her shots. I'm glad she got to catalog it. And what a sweet thing to have something with her handwriting. That's a real treasure right there.
Blessings. 💙
I will read the post tomorrow. But I want to say that I am at home safe and sound. Had a great time. Made just a few pictures. Have a lot to write. So will do that tomorrow too.
ReplyDeleteHugs!!!
So glad to know you are home and that you had a great time. I am looking forward to hearing all about it! Thanks for stopping by! (((HUGS))) back at you.
DeleteWow this is amazing that your mom took pictures,and then documented everything. I remember it well. Thanks for posting this.
ReplyDeleteWow! Thank you for sharing this and getting me thinking of this.
ReplyDeleteI love when bloggers post like this because I would have not normally even thought of it and it deserves remembering. :) Blessings.
DeleteWhat a treasure your mother left but on such a sad chapter in history, Pam. Thank you for sharing these photos and your mother's handwritten notes.
ReplyDeleteThis was a terribly sad day. I live about 45 min from where so much debris was located. I remember traveling through the area shortly after and seeing so many news stations in the area. Time passes so quickly.
ReplyDeleteIt was one of those moments where you always remember where you were and what you were doing when you heard the awful news...
ReplyDelete40 years ago! I was 26, and at work. I didn't know about it until my mother called me. She just wanted to connect, I think. How poignant that your mother wrote of the experience and what a bittersweet treasure I imagine her writing and pictures to be for you. I remember when 9-11 happened that I wished so much my mother or father was alive and I could call them. Thank you for sharing this, Pam.
ReplyDelete