My friend Thea, at I’m a Drama Mama, posted this meme, and it brought back such memories, I am inclined to do it myself.
Princess Diana’s death – 31 August 1997
I was in Elkhart, IN, visiting a friend in from out of town with her fiance. We were at her mom’s house for the weekend, and I rememeber just sitting in front of the TV most of that weekend watching the coverage. And feeling like the Royal Family had something to do with it.
Attack on the twin towers – 11 September 2001
I had just finished a Water Aerobics class at the gym and drove over to work, but listened to a CD in the car instead of the radio like I usually do. My friend and coworker came in, and I remember not really understanding what she was saying. We had been to the World Trade Center just the Thanksgiivng before–how could a plane hit it? Didn’t get it at all. We had school that day, and heard tidbits that day, but didn’t have TV at school, nor we were inclined to search the internet. Didn’t really get it until I got home from work and saw it. And even then, it took a couple of days for all of it to sink in. Hubby was working out of town at the time, so I remember watching TV every night and putting our wedding scrapbook together, and crying.
Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster January 28, 1986
I was in seventh grade science class,and it was our day to use the “science lab”, which was really a room with long tables instead of desks. And I think there was a sink. Anyway, we were apparently the only school on the planet that didn’t have the TV on that day. Instead, our incredibly sensistive principal, announced that the space shuttle had exploded over the loudspeaker. That sent our emotional science teacher, Mrs. Catterlin, over the edge and she left the room crying. Really, what I remember was Mrs. Catterlin crying. I don’t really remember much else about the day.
Space Shuttle Columbia Disaster February 1, 2003
I was getting 5 gallon water jugs at the water store, and pulled up to the drive up station. I was listening to CDs again, and it was a bright, sunny day. I was in a really good mood, and greeted the water guy with exurberance. He then told me, “Ma’am, the Space Shuttle just exploded.” I then turned on the radio, and thought of Mrs. Catterlin.
The Oklahoma City Bombing April 19, 1995
I was student teaching Kindergarten, in Avon, Indiana. I was dismissing the 1/2 day kindergareners to the buses, and as the first driver pulled up, she asked if I’d heard the news. I hadn’t, and so she had me get up on to the bus and she told me w/ the kids out of earshot. Then I got to go in and tell my supervising teacher. It was lunch time, so we were able to listen to the radio in the faculty lounge.
I also have very vague memories of John Lennon, the Pope and Ronald Reagan being shot. At least one of those was announced over the loudpseaker at school (different school), but I don’t know which one. It would have been 1979 or 1980.
Let me know in the comments if you do this on your blog!