Christa McAuliffe Day

Categories:: Special Interest
Tags:: American Appreciation Historical
Where:: United States
Date change rule:: Every January 28
Holiday emoji:: 👩‍🚀

Christa McAuliffe Day honors the pioneering New Hampshire teacher who tragically perished in the 1986 Challenger disaster every January 28. This day recognizes her enduring legacy in education and her courage as the first civilian selected to go to space. Take time to learn about her story, support STEM education, and inspire future explorers.

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Expected Christa McAuliffe Day Deals

For Christa McAuliffe Day, the focus shifts from commercial deals to educational outreach and remembrance. Organizations like NASA and the Challenger Center often highlight educational programs and scholarships in her name. Local science museums and planetariums may offer special exhibits or free admission for students. Retailers specializing in STEM toys or educational materials, such as Scholastic or Lakeshore Learning, might feature discounts on relevant products. Aerospace companies like Lockheed Martin and Boeing sometimes sponsor educational initiatives or employee volunteer days. Consider supporting the Christa McAuliffe Center or local school foundations dedicated to innovative teaching. We will update this page with confirmed live programs and initiatives as January 28 approaches.

Platform Guide for Christa McAuliffe Day

Tag National Today (linkedin.com/company/nationaltoday) and use #ChristaMcAuliffeDay. Share stories of inspiring teachers or discuss the importance of STEM education.

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Mention @NatlToday and use #ChristaMcAuliffeDay. Post facts about Christa McAuliffe’s life or quotes about the pursuit of knowledge and exploration.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #ChristaMcAuliffeDay. Share photos of local memorials or educational events honoring her memory.

Christa McAuliffe Day Hero

Sharon Christa McAuliffe

Sharon Christa McAuliffe (1948–1986) was an American teacher from Concord, New Hampshire, who was selected from over 11,000 applicants to be the first civilian in space as part of NASA's Teacher in Space Project. Her mission was to conduct lessons from orbit, inspiring students globally. Tragically, she and her six crewmates died when the Space Shuttle Challenger broke apart shortly after launch on January 28, 1986. Her courage and dedication to education continue to inspire millions.

History of Christa McAuliffe Day

In 1984, President Ronald Reagan announced a special NASA project — the Teacher in Space Project (TISP). It was designed for teachers to serve as payload specialists — these were people with skills different from astronauts, specially trained for a single mission, and who would perform experiments in space. The hope was that the selected teachers would pass on their knowledge and experience to students, further engaging the next generation in space exploration.

Christa McAuliffe, a social studies teacher from Concord, felt she had to apply. Her application stated that she’d seen the space program and wanted to participate. She’d always been fascinated by space, and she believed history greatly depended on regular men and women. This was perhaps why McAuliffe was picked from a pool of around 10,000 teachers, undergoing rigorous training to prepare for her space journey.

On January 28, 1986, at 11:38 a.m., the NASA shuttle took off, only to explode 73 seconds later. Investigations later revealed this occurred due to mechanical failure. McAuliffe, along with her fellow passengers, perished, but their dream lived on. Due to this, the TISP was later replaced with the Educator Astronaut Project. It required its civilian participants to become Astronaut Mission Specialists, experts selected as astronauts first and then assigned to a special mission.

Her journey and passion for teaching inspired the country and the world. Schools and educational institutions globally have been named after her, education awards and scholarships are given in her name, and science centers bear her stamp. Her legacy has reached space too — there’s an asteroid called 3352 McAuliffe, and two craters named McAuliffe, one on the moon, the other on Venus.

Christa McAuliffe Day timeline

1985

An Announcement Makes Headlines

Vice President George H.W. Bush announces that a selection has been made for the first teacher (and civilian) to go into space — Christa McAuliffe.

1987

The Challenger Center

A year after the NASA Space Shuttle Challenger explodes, killing all its crew members, including McAuliffe, the crew's family members found the Challenger Center.

2004

A Special Award

Everyone on the Challenger is posthumously awarded the highest honor an astronaut can receive — the Congressional Space Medal of Honor.

2019

The Christa McAuliffe Commemorative Coin Act

On October 9, President Donald Trump signs a law that allows the Treasury Department to issue silver $1 coins in commemoration of McAuliffe.

2021

McAuliffe Day Events

On January 28, the Johnson Space Center in Houston and Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia hold small ceremonies and flags fly at half-mast at NASA centers all over the U.S.

How Businesses Can Celebrate Christa McAuliffe Day

Local businesses can honor Christa McAuliffe Day by supporting STEM education initiatives in their communities. Consider sponsoring a classroom project, donating to a local science museum, or hosting a ‘teacher appreciation’ event. Bookstores could feature books on space exploration and biographies of women in STEM. Coffee shops might offer a discount to educators, recognizing their vital role in shaping future explorers. Emphasize genuine recognition and support for educational endeavors.

Christa McAuliffe Day FAQs

When is Christa McAuliffe Day?

Christa McAuliffe Day in 2027 will be observed on Friday, January 28. This annual observance is a poignant reminder of her enduring legacy in education and space.

What was Christa McAuliffe's role in the Challenger mission?

As a social studies teacher from New Hampshire, Christa McAuliffe’s selection for the Challenger mission was meant to highlight the importance of education and inspire a new generation of explorers. She was to be a living bridge between the classroom and space.

How many teachers have flown in space?

Though Christa McAuliffe’s mission ended tragically, her legacy paved the way for other educators to travel to space. NASA continues to engage with the educational community, and the spirit of the Teacher in Space Project lives on through various outreach programs.

Is Christa McAuliffe Day a federal holiday?

Christa McAuliffe Day remains a state-level observance in New Hampshire, commemorating her life and the impact she had as an educator and aspiring astronaut. It is not recognized nationwide as a federal holiday.

How to Observe Christa McAuliffe Day

Watch movies about her
She might not have lived in the new internet age, but McAuliffe's name lives on. She's the focus of multiple movies and documentaries. Choose your favorite, and start watching.
Learn about her life
Commemorate her life and work by learning more about her. There are plenty of articles and resources online or check the literature at your local bookstore (or even science center).
Visit her legacies
She has been the subject of multiple space-based exhibits. Find out if any such centers near you have a special Christa McAuliffe exhibit, and make sure to visit it.

5 Facts About The Teacher In Space Project (TISP)

Christa had plans for her space trip
Her application to NASA mentioned she wanted to keep a journal detailing how she was prepped for the space mission, the actual flight, and what she felt.
The Challenger mission had problems
Before the explosion, the mission was postponed by several days, and on that fateful day, it was plagued by a severe cold front that left ice on the launchpad.
The backup teacher completed McAuliffe's mission
Barbara Morgan trained alongside McAuliffe as her backup and on August 8, 2007, she finished what McAuliffe set out to achieve — she became a teacher traveling in space.
Her students watched the live launch
Students from Concord High School in New Hampshire, where McAuliffe taught social studies, watched the launch together on live television, and cheered her on wearing party hats and blowing noisemakers.
The failure hurt NASA
McAuliffe’s civilian (and dynamic) presence plus the live coverage of the promising and then tragic event together halted shuttle missions for more than two years, severely hurting NASA's reputation and damaging the public's faith in the U.S.'s space program.

Why Christa McAuliffe Day is Important

She is an inspiration
Multiple students went into teaching because of her passion. She's also the driving force behind numerous awards and programs.
We pay tribute to a legend
Not only do we learn more about her, but we emphasize that education is as important to children as it was to McAuliffe.
Everyday people make history too
McAuliffe wanted her students to learn that history was shaped by ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Her legacy and life are great examples of her teachings.