The crew of Challenger, STS-51L: Front row from left, Mike Smith, Dick Scobee, Ron McNair.
Back row from left, Ellison Onizuka, Christa McAuliffe, Greg Jarvis, Judith Resnik.

Nineteen years ago today, I was changing classes in high school and we heard the first rumors and unbelievable facts, right there on the sidewalk. The Challenger had exploded during the launch and things didn't look good. We gathered in the school library where a television was rounded up and we watched the coverage, marveling at the sickening and stupefying explosion over and over. The booster rockets spin away the same with each viewing, the flames and smoke unchanging, but the shocking transition from powered, purposeful flight to disintegrating machinery still shocks me to watch today.

President Ronald Reagan, spoke to the nation that evening:

And I want to say something to the school children of America who were watching the live coverage of the shuttle's takeoff. I know it is hard to understand, but sometimes painful things like this happen. It's all part of the process of exploration and discovery. It's all part of taking a chance and expanding man's horizons. The future doesn't belong to the fainthearted; it belongs to the brave. The Challenger crew was pulling us into the future, and we'll continue to follow them.

Yes, like the Boomers, I remember where I was on that day, when I heard that terrible news.

NASA has a tribute online.