@Bobbelieu Just the other day, my daughter said that she was in elementary school when all the schools in HI were tuned into the Challenger launch because a school teacher was part of the crew and also because there was a HI astronaut who was also part of the crew. The subsequent explosion was a huge shock and all the teachers were at a loss to explain it to the kids. They weren't told anything and the TVs were turned off.
@tirebiter73 A lot of people just couldn't believe their eyes. I mean, the shuttle just doesn't "blow up" right?