30 replies to this topic

[meghann]

A friend of mine posted this on Facebook, and it's been fascinating for me to read the results. I figured we have such a wide range of ages here, it would be interesting to pose this question here, too.

For me, it was Challenger. I was in kindergarten. I do remember the Baby Jessica thing happening the next year, and my husband reminded me of Iran Contra, which was around then, too. I don't remember much about that, but I do remember Oliver North being on tv testifying. The next really clear thing I remember after Challenger though is the Berlin Wall falling. I was 9, and I remember sitting in the living room as a family watching that happen on tv.

[David Case]

For me it would have to be the JFK assassination. Before that, and not at all comparable, the Pittsburgh Pirates won the World Series in 1960. Since I had lived in Pittsburgh a few years before, still lived nearby, and they had not won since forever, that was a big deal. The JFK assassination was devastating though, even though I was only in Junior High. It was so unreal that it just didn't seem possible that it happened. I also remember Ruby shooting Oswald on TV. It seemed like the end of an era of innocence for the country. Nothing has been the same since.

[creeker]

JFK assassination and funeral for me as well. I was about four at the time. When my dad died less than a year later, I wondered why they didn't televise the funeral like that.

[dklucius]

for me it was when we heard that Japan had bombed Pearl Harbor. We lived on a small farm 15 miles from the nearest town in rural Utah. Several neighbors draft age and all men were notified that able bodyied men were going to war. My dad had four kids and wanted to do his part so we packed up everything we could take and moved to Nevada. Both mom and Dad worked at a navy base. both second world war and Korean war. I became a city kid instead of a farm boy and it changed our whole lifes.

[Clip]

JFK assassination for me also.

[horseface]

The OJ Simpson stuff was the first major news coverage for something I can remember

[Kaysei]

JFK too

[guy_incognito]

The Challenger disaster would also be my first. I was in kindergarten at the time, and we were watching live coverage as it happened.

[creeker]

The Challenger disaster would also be my first. I was in kindergarten at the time, and we were watching live coverage as it happened.

Based on your impressive life list number, I always assumed you were a much older "guy."

[TheBillyPilgrim]

Based on your impressive life list number, I always assumed you were a much older "guy."

I was just thinking the same thing!

[JimBob]

9/11 for me. I didn't get how bad it was until a few years ago.

[spyonabird]

Most of my childhood was a blur of personal tragedies. I wish I could remember what was happening in the rest of the world. I wish I could say I remember the first steps on the moon, but I don't. I wish I could remember the MLK or the RFK assissinations, but I don't. My mother claims that when she heard about JFK, i jumped in the womb. Not sure if that was the reason, but it makes a good story.
The news story that I remember clearly is Challenger. I was just getting out of a class my senior year in college and it was on the TV in the campus center. Everyone was standing, in shock watching the news. No-one said a word, we all just watched...in disbelief.

[JimBob]

What was the Challenger? When I hear it I think of a car.

[TheBillyPilgrim]

Its really interesting how almost everyone's answers are tragedies. No one seems to remember any breakthroughs/accomplishments or general good things from the news.

I'd have to say my earliest is President Clinton winning the '92 election. I remember seeing a map of the electoral votes and being amazed that their were so many other states out there!

[GreatHorn]

Probably 9/11 for me, even though my memory of it isn't sharp.

What was the Challenger? When I hear it I think of a car.

A space shuttle launched in 1986. Instead of the flight lasting a few days, it lasted one minute.

[spyonabird]

Here is a link to the YouTube video of the Challenger disaster. Once you watch it, you will understand why it was so memorable. Especially at 1:40.

[jblakelock]

The Iran Hostage Crisis and in particular the failed attempt to rescue the hostages.

[Melissa :)]

For me, 9/11. I remember everyone going home early from preschool when it happened, and my parents told me what was going on.

[threeofhardts]

My first big news memory was also the assassination of JFK. I was 8 years old. My sister was getting married that evening and my mother was curling my hair as we watched the news on TV.

[meghann]

Here is a link to the YouTube video of the Challenger disaster. Once you watch it, you will understand why it was so memorable.

My kids have an American history dvd set, and whenever it gets to the part about Challenger and shows that footage, I still can't watch it. Same with the 9/11 footage.