Utahns Reflect on Challenger Disaster

Utahns Reflect on Challenger Disaster


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Alex Cabrero reportingTwenty years ago today, the space shuttle Challenger lifted off from a launch pad in Florida and then blew apart 73 seconds later, killing all seven astronauts on board including the first teacher in space.

The explosion was one of those moments we'll never forget.

Most people can tell you where they were, and what they were doing at the very moment they first saw it. Many say the image is seared into their memory.

It's right up there with the Kennedy assassination, the moon landing and September 11th, as far as remembering where you were when you heard the news.

We said the words "Space Shuttle Challenger" to some people this morning, and they remembered instantly.

At the Over The Counter Cafe in Salt Lake City, you can always find good food, and good conversation; if you can hear anything in all the madness.

But when we asked people about the Challenger explosion...

Scott Sutton: "I remember it real well."

Utahns Reflect on Challenger Disaster

Jennifer Lenz: "I remember the moment it happened."

It seemed everyone could focus on that one day, 20 years ago.

Brian Lenz: "And boom, it blows up."

Jennifer Lenz: "Just was one of those things where everyone just went silent."

Lenoris Bush: "When it exploded and it went in all the different directions, that's whats still more vivid in my mind than anything else right now."

Utahns Reflect on Challenger Disaster

Scott Sutton: "I was in a hardware store, and they had it on the TV. I just remember watching it and thinking no way is this happening."

It's one of the earliest memories for those who were in elementary school at the time.

Jen Jacobsen: "I think we were all prepared to see it because the teacher was on board. That's right."

Jennifer Lenz: "She burst into tears."

Malik Shabazz: "It was a pretty devastating thing to witness."

Looking back reminds us all of how for just a second, time seemed to stand still.

Alex Peck: "It's amazing how fast time flies."

It doesn't seem that long ago.

To put it in perspective, most of this year's college graduates were only two when the Challenger disaster happened. It's a moment they probably don't remember. They most likely will think of Columbia before Challenger.

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