Challenger explosion. I was 5, first time I remember my dad crying. We had been on vacation just prior and almost saw it take off. Except for all the cold weather delays...

STS-51-L for me as well, 4th grade. Christa McAuliffe spent a portion of her youth local to my hometown (2 towns over) so she was celebrated as a local hero for being selected for the mission. I was VERY interested in the mission of NASA as a youngster, and was absolutely devastated when the live feed we were watching during school showed the explosion.

Later I found the science behind the tragedy fascinating, but I still remember the empty, hollow feeling thoughout the auditorium, as the scope of what just happened hit the 400-odd students in attendance.

Probably 9/11. That was the start of the 24/7/365 news cycle. I was in third grade.

Different events for different generations. Up until JFK assassination people got their news from the evening paper or the radio. I still remember men lining up to get the evening paper that day, to get the details. Prior to then I read the front page of the Chicago Tribune. I remember the milkman delivering milk the day Sputnik launched and thinking the Russians were gonna beat us to the moon, if they didn't nuke us first.

JALLEN, sorry I took so long to re-visit this thread. I had forgotten about going to Sears or MonkeyWards watching rows of TV's along with lots of other folks. Always crowed, Thanks!

Rosenberg trial.

Mike Todd, Elizabeth Taylor's husband at the time, being killed in a plane crash.

The moon landing and other Apollo missions. I was 4 when the moon landing happened.

I remember my Dad watching a Watergate hearing on a Saturday.

Then I remember Elvis dying - that was huge.

I was in college when Challenger exploded. I happened to be home sleeping in when my mother woke me up and watching the clip over and over.

I have vague recollection of the end of Vietnam. I was born in 67 so I was young. I really remember where I was during the Challenger disaster. I was a bit older and working. For my dad.

 
Nixon's "Checkers" speech, on our B&W console that had maybe a 12" screen, corners rounded a lot.
 

The shooting of JFK.

The moon landing for me as well. I remember it from the novelty of being allowed to stay up and long as I wanted after bed time. My Dad said, "This is history."

For me it was the JFK assassination. I remember my mother sobbing uncontrollably.

Sputnik.

I remember listening to F.D.R's Fireside Chats during WWII as well as news commentators, H.V. Kaltenborn , Gabriel Heater and Walter Winchell. I remember hearing about the D Day Invasion but I didn't listen to any radio news accounts. I also "followed" the 1948 GOP, Dem conventions as well as election night returns.
After the Kennedy shooting, I was watching live when Ruby shot Oswald.

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
...Up until JFK assassination people got their news from the evening paper or the radio. I still remember men lining up to get the evening paper that day, to get the details...

Do you remember the Chicago Sun-Times being sold back-side-up that day to show Bill Mauldin's drawing? I do.

quote:

Do you remember the Chicago Sun-Times being sold back-side-up that day to show Bill Mauldin's drawing? I do.

Yeah vividly. Great drawing. I had forgotten about that. Do you remember the Holy Angels fire and the pictures of the dead kids on the front page of the Trib?

Kennedy assassination. I think I was in the second grade. I remember getting to school and a lot of teachers upset and crying.

Eisenhower re-election in 1956. My mom and dad liked him so it was on the TV quite a bit. I would have been 9.

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
...Do you remember the Holy Angels fire and the pictures of the dead kids on the front page of the Trib?

Yes, I do. I attended a Catholic grade school in a near-west suburb at the time, and I think a couple of the survivors transferred out there. Not to my grade, and I don't remember if they were younger or older.