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On January 28, we celebrate the legacy of an incredible woman who made history – Christa McAuliffe. This day is dedicated to honoring her life and achievements as the first teacher in space. On this date in 1986, she tragically lost her life along with six other crew members during the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster. But her impact and inspiration continue to live on, as she showed us that ordinary people can achieve extraordinary things. Let's remember and celebrate Christa's bravery, passion for education, and love for exploring the unknown on this special day.
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1948</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Christa McAuliffe's Birth</div><div class='timeline-text'>Sharon Christa McAuliffe was born on September 2, 1948, in Boston, Massachusetts.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1985</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Selected For NASA's Teacher In Space Project</div><div class='timeline-text'>Christa McAuliffe was selected from more than 11,000 applicants to participate in NASA's Teacher In Space Project.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1986</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Challenger Disaster</div><div class='timeline-text'>Christa McAuliffe and six other crew members died in the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster on January 28, 1986.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1986</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Education Center Named After McAuliffe</div><div class='timeline-text'>An education center in Concord, New Hampshire was named in McAuliffe's honor, prioritizing her commitment to education.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2004</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Establishment of Christa McAuliffe Day</div><div class='timeline-text'>New Hampshire declared Christa McAuliffe Day to be celebrated on January 28, to honor her passion for education and space exploration.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2016</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Posthumous Congressional Gold Medal</div><div class='timeline-text'>Congress awarded the Congressional Gold Medal to Christa McAuliffe posthumously alongside her Challenger crewmates.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Watch a documentary about Christa McAuliffe</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Learn more about Christa McAuliffe's life and legacy by watching a documentary about her. This is a great way to honor her memory and educate yourself and others about her important contributions.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Visit the Christa McAuliffe Space Center</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>If you live near the Christa McAuliffe Space Center in Utah, take a trip there and explore the interactive exhibits and simulations. It's a fun and educational way to celebrate Christa McAuliffe Day.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Read a book about space exploration</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Christa McAuliffe was passionate about space exploration, so honor her by reading a book on the topic. You can also share your knowledge with others and spread awareness about her legacy.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Attend a science or space-themed event</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Check your local community for any science or space-themed events happening on Christa McAuliffe Day. It's a great way to learn, have fun, and commemorate this important day.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Share Christa McAuliffe's story on social media</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Spread awareness about Christa McAuliffe and her achievements by sharing her story on social media. This can help keep her memory alive and inspire others to pursue their passions, just like she did.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Honors a brave pioneer for women in STEM</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Christa McAuliffe was a trailblazer for women in the field of science and mathematics. As the first civilian teacher selected to go to space, she opened doors for future generations of women who wanted to pursue careers in STEM fields. National Christa McAuliffe Day celebrates her contributions and inspires others to follow in her footsteps.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Remembers a tragic event in history</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>On January 28, 1986, tragedy struck when the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded shortly after lift-off, killing all seven crew members on board. National Christa McAuliffe Day serves as a way to remember this heartbreaking event and honor those who lost their lives.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Celebrates education and learning</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>As a teacher, Christa McAuliffe valued education and believed that everyone had the potential to learn and explore their passions. National Christa McAuliffe Day encourages people to continue learning and pursuing their dreams, just like she did.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Christa McAuliffe Was to Be the First Teacher in Space</h3><p class='facts-content'>She was chosen from more than 11,000 applicants to participate in the NASA Teacher in Space Project and was scheduled to become the first teacher in space.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>She Created Lessons to be Taught from Space</h3><p class='facts-content'>As part of her role as the first teacher in space, McAuliffe planned to conduct experiments and teach two lessons from the Challenger.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Her Legacy Lives On in Schools and Scholarships</h3><p class='facts-content'>Many institutions and scholarships have been named in her honor, including the Christa McAuliffe Technology Conference and the Christa McAuliffe Planetarium.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>She Held a Master's Degree in Education</h3><p class='facts-content'>Notably educated for her time, Christa held a master's degree in education supervision and administration from Bowie State University.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Her Life is a Reminder of the Dangers and Bravery Associated with Space Exploration</h3><p class='facts-content'>Christa McAuliffe, along with the rest of the crew of the Challenger, tragically died in the spacecraft explosion just 73 seconds into the flight, reminding us of the risks associated with space exploration. Her bravery and commitment to education are widely respected and remembered.</p></div></div>
Christa McAuliffe Day is celebrated on January 28th every year. In 2024 Christa McAuliffe Day will occur on a Sunday.
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