Having been born in the mid-1960s, considerable historical events have transpired in my lifetime. From the assassination of President Kennedy to the Covid-19 pandemic that gripped the world in recent years, the past five decades have been profoundly impactful and significant.
But, what of those events do I personally remember?
To avoid making you read the “War and Peace” version of my recollections, I’ll limit today’s post to just 5 major historical events I remember and how they impacted me personally.
THE IRAN HOSTAGE CRISIS
As a child, I remember the PSA (public service announcement) popping onto our TV when it was getting late (and usually we were outside playing “kick the can”, “red rover” or some other awesome neighborhood game.
Later in my teen years, a more sinister and serious message was displayed later in the evening, during the Iran Hostage Crisis.
The Iran Hostage Crisis began on November 4, 1979, when 52 American diplomats and citizens were taken hostage by Iranian militants following the U.S. Embassy occupation in Tehran. The crisis lasted 444 days and became a significant event in U.S.-Iran relations, highlighting issues of American foreign policy. It ended on January 20, 1981, coinciding with Ronald Reagan’s inauguration, leaving a lasting impact on U.S. politics and perceptions of Iran.
THE CHALLENGER EXPLOSION
I was in between classes in college and home at my apartment when the “Breaking News” banner began to scroll across the tv screen.
The Challenger explosion occurred on January 28, 1986, when the Space Shuttle Challenger disintegrated just 73 seconds after launch, tragically resulting in the deaths of all seven crew members aboard. The disaster shocked the nation and led to widespread scrutiny of NASA’s safety protocols and decision-making processes. The crew included Christa McAuliffe, a high school teacher who was to be the first civilian to travel in space, making the tragedy particularly poignant. The event turned a moment of excitement into a moment of mourning and highlighted the risks associated with space exploration.
THE COMPUTER & THE INTERNET
I was driving and listening to local radio talk expound on what they deemed “the next big thing” was going to be, and man, it sounded like something on the SyFy Channel. You could literally plug this thing in called a DSL and “surf” this thing called “the web” and find out anything you wanted to know. Yeah, right!
It wasn’t until I’d used it at work and connected at home that I suggested my wife search for a little nostalgia in the form of a childhood toy called “The Sunshine Family” that I truly understood. Funny to think Ebay is still out there today!
9/11
Who doesn’t remember that horrific day? As I’ve written about in past posts, I was in Boston with my family when the towers fell.
The surreal feeling that day and the changes the terrorist attack brought to our country still resonate so clearly for me nearly 25 years later. My heart goes out to those who lost loved ones, and I hope they have found some sense of closure and are able to move forward while still looking back with love.
THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
I used gloves to pump gas into my car. I had pizza delivered on the doormat outside my front door and picked it up when the driver left. I had my temperature routinely taken when I returned to the gym to workout.
Funny now to learn that masks don’t work as they stated they would, medications they demonized later were found to be of help, and the social distancing really was an arbitrary requirement not based in science.
The gravity of Covid-19 cannot be overstated; however, the extent of the perceived impact now appears disproportionate. My heart goes out to those who were unable to be with their loved ones in their final moments, to individuals whose livelihoods were devastated by governmental interventions that seemed driven by political agendas rather than practical necessity, and to the troubling questions regarding the financial gains accrued from the so-called “miracle” vaccine and the identities of those beneficiaries.
NOW IT’S YOUR TURN
As we reflect on these significant moments in history, I invite you to share your own memories and stories. What major historical events do you remember? How did they shape your life or perspective? Your experiences, whether joyous or solemn, contribute to our collective narrative and understanding of the world. Let’s open the floor for conversation—please share your thoughts in the comments below. Your voice matters, and together, we can create a tapestry of experiences that honors our shared history.
MOTEVENTURE 
One response to “YOU WILL REMEMBER ME (FOR CENTURIES?)”
[…] YOU WILL REMEMBER ME (FOR CENTURIES?) […]
LikeLike