On this day: January 28
"Pride and Prejudice" is first published, Elvis makes his national TV debut, "We Are the World" is recorded, and the space shuttle Challenger breaks apart after liftoff, all on this day.
1986: The space shuttle Challenger breaks apart over the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Florida 73 seconds after liftoff, killing all seven astronauts on board, including school teacher Christa McAuliffe. The disaster, which occurred after an O-ring seal in its right solid rocket booster failed at liftoff, would result in a 32-month hiatus in the shuttle program while it was investigated. Changes implemented before the next shuttle launch in September 1988 included various safety measures, solid rocket booster redesign and a new policy on management decision-making for launches.
