![25th Anniversary, Not a Celebration](http://townsquare.media/site/81/files/2011/01/10634086211.jpg?w=980&q=75)
25th Anniversary, Not a Celebration
Today marks the 25th anniversary of the explosion of the Space Shuttle Challenger. Though I was 3-years of age at the time, I remember growing up hearing about the explosion and how tragic of a day it was for our country.Within 73 seconds of the Challenger lifting off from its launch pad at Kennedy Space Center, the world watched in horror as the orbiter exploded over the Atlantic Ocean.
In case you're unfamiliar with the explosion, the shuttle's crew of seven were killed, including astronaut Ronald McNair and school teacher Christa McAuliffe. The cause of the blast was the failure of the shuttle's rocket booster O-rings. The cold weather affected them during launch time.
The explosion was a turning point in American history and America's space program changed forever from that moment. NASA is holding a memorial service today at 9am at Florida's Kennedy Space Center.
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