What Happened on January 28, 1986

Historical Events

"Uptown... It's Hot!" opens at Lunt-Fontanne Theater NYC for 24 performances
Angolan revolutionary and leader of UNITA, Jonas Savimbi visits Washington, D.C.

USS Challenger Explodes

Space Shuttle Challenger explodes 73 seconds after liftoff from Cape Canaveral, killing all 7 crew members, including Christa McAuliffe who was to be the first teacher in space

The Space Shuttle Challenger moments after it exploded above Cape Canveral on January 28, 1986

Events in 1986

Famous Birthdays

Jessica Ennis, English athlete (Olympic gold heptathlon 2012; World C'ship gold 2009, 11, 15), born in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England
Shruti Haasan, Indian actress

Born in 1986

Famous Deaths

Christa McAuliffe, American teacher, dies in the Challenger space shuttle disaster at 37
Dick Scobee, US Air Force officer and astronaut, dies in the Challenger disaster at 46
Ellison Onizuka, American Air Force Major and astronaut (STS 51C, 51L), dies in the Challenger space shuttle disaster at 39
Greg Jarvis, American engineer and astronaut, dies in the Challenger space shuttle disaster at 41
Judith Resnik, American astronaut, dies in Challenger disaster at 36
Michael J. Smith, American astronaut (51L-Challenger disaster), dies in Challenger space shuttle disaster at 40