first major news story you remember as a kid?

Feb 17, 2026

Shake up your brain and answer the following question that will likely tell your age — but in my case, maybe not. 🙂

Step into the wayback machine and tell us…

What’s the first major news story you remember as a kid?

My Momma’s first memory was the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt on April 12, 1945. Of course, in 1945 news wasn’t delivered the same as it is now, so it’s understandable that she would be 13 at the time of her first major news memory. She also remembers Joe Louis’s fights being broadcast on the radio in the 30’s because my Pap-pa always listened to them.

Mr. Pesky remembers when the Dodgers won the World Series for the 1st time on 10/4/55. Although my favorite brother was born in 1954, he probably remembers that too — he was 110% more in tune with news as a kid than I was. 😉

During my childhood, news also wasn’t delivered like it is now. Still, I don’t recall a time we didn’t have a TV in the living room, so I can’t fall back on that as an excuse. My first memory is from the year I graduated. Good grief — I was sheltered.

It’s amazing that I can even remember what I ate over the weekend.

All the major news stories listed are within my lifetime:

A couple of these I was too young to remember… but others I SHOULD remember and I don’t.

1. I don’t remember the Cuban Missile Crisis — 10/16/62
2. I don’t remember JFK being assassinated — 11/22/63
3. I don’t remember the moon landing — 7/20/69 (but I should)
4. I DO remember the death of Elvis — 8/16/77
5. I don’t remember the death of John Wayne — 6/11/79 (this is Perry’s first memory)
6. I DO remember the eruption of Mount St. Helens – 5/18/80
7. I DO remember the Challenger exploding — 1/28/06
8. I DO remember police chasing OJ — 3/17/94
9. I absolutely remember 9/11

So what about you? What’s the 1st major news story YOU remember?

Now you know: Cows have over 800 blood types (compared to humans’ 8).