Where were you?

[Monster Dave]

25 Years ago today we remember and honor the valiant crew of the Space Shuttle Challenger who gave thier lives in the quest for science and discovery.

Where were you? What do you remember? What indelable marks were left in your memory that still remain today?

[abby normal]

i was in providence RI at graduate school studying planetary geology.  all the
professors could think about was how this would affect their research.

a bunch of self centered A-holes.

[Monsterlover]

I was in the 3rd grade.  We watched the launch on TV.

I remember the explosion but I don't think I really understood what was happening.

[badgalbetty]

I was living in Portland Oregon, I remember the event but I don't think it left any lasting marks on my memory, unlike 9-11. That was truly horrific.
RIP Challenger crew, sleep well.

[mitt]

I was in the 3rd grade.  We watched the launch on TV.

I remember the explosion but I don't think I really understood what was happening.

Similar memories here.

I had a nephew who was born the day before the launch, so that always kind of sucks remembering it since it was on 24/7 while he was in the hospital.

mitt

[herm]

sophomore in high school.
watched the launch during my lunch break but can't remember if i watched it live, or a replay after the fact.
typically shallow teenager...

[WarrenJ]

I was walking to class in College and heard some broadcast journalism student lamenting that he wasn't on the air when it happened. 

[Monster Dave]

I think more than anything, I remember the moment of confusion and complete astonishment by everyone watching the CNN broadcast - one of those "did that just really happen" feelings as well as that deadly silence where you could have heard a pin drop which seemed to last for hours.

[RAT900]

Final months of my first marriage...waiting at home for limo to the airport...it made a dark chapter that much more darker

[superjohn]

Junior High. One of my teachers was a finalist in the selection process so it was a little more "real". I remember it coming at a time when it really seemed like we were making exponential leaps forward and that colony on the moon was just around the corner, then all of a sudden it stopped. The dangerous reality of our human audacity to challenge the forces of nature that hold us to the ground became more perceptible, which for me made all the prior launches, and all the future ones as well, all the more extraordinary.

Astronauts are my kind of heroes and hearing the renewed telling of the stories of these seven on this anniversary still inspires me to learn more and do the best I can.

[orangelion03]

I was at work.  At the time I was a test engineer working for an aerospace company that no longer exists.  We had many shuttle related programs...for the orbiter itself as well as payloads.  Work usually came to a stop to watch launches and nearly everyone was at a screen.  The effect on all of us was very intense.  Very sad day.

[LMT]

In the Air Force, stationed in Germany.  We were watching on the armed forces network.

[Speedbag]

Junior in high school. We were watching the launch in science class. Pretty much cast a pall on the subject matter.....

[gregrnel]

Sophomore HS math class.

[yamifixer]

I had the flu (the only time in my life I called off of work sick) was laying on sofa watching and the second it went I thought "OH SHIT, they are all dead."