May 5, 1961

[uglygrandmother]

Today's question asked what was the first news event you remembered as a child. I remember it well. It was the day that Alan Shepherd became the first American in space. School was closed that day so that we could watch the first space flight from our own tv's. My family, particularly my father, was all excited about it and the whole family

Comments

[mynorthwind]

Your answer got me to thinking, more than seeing the prompt itself did...and I honestly don't know if I remember a specific news event before 9/11. That day I remember VERY well, but I was 20 and in college. I remember the start of Desert Storm, but from reading the paper and my brother, who was set to go over there.

[uglygrandmother]

There are certain news events that are stapled in my brain. I remember the day that JFK died. I was in music class, in seventh grade and our teacher was called to the office. When Mr. Zimmer came back, he had this look on his face and he said, "They've shot the President!"

And of course, 9/11. I was helping the grandkids get ready for school and Leila had called and asked me if I had the news on. I turned it on and I was stunned. I don't remember much of that day except the images on the tv and the silence of the skies.