The Challenger lifting off on the morning of January 28, 1986. Soon after takeoff the Space Shuttle Challenger experienced a catastrophic failure, eventually killing everyone on board. Later that day President Reagan delivered an address to the nation. Many believe this was one of the most profound speeches of the 20th Century. http://www.nasa.gov/audience/formedia/speeches/reagan_challenger.html
We will never forget them, nor the last time we saw them, this morning, as they prepared for their journey and waved goodbye and slipped the surly bonds of earth to touch the face of God.
President Ronald Reagan, January 28, 1986 National Address
The crew of the Challenger, January 8, 1986. Photo12/UIG/Getty Images.
