Challenger: Slipping the Surly Bonds
| Category: | Defining Moments |
|---|---|
| Notes: | President Ronald Reagan addressed the nation the evening of the Challenger disaster, honoring the fallen and inspiring the country with grace and strength. |
Challenger: Slipping the Surly Bonds
On January 28, 1986, America watched in horror as the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded just after launch. Seven astronauts were lost, including Christa McAuliffe, a teacher who had trained to carry the classroom into space.
That night, President Ronald Reagan addressed the nation-not with blame, but with compassion:
"The future doesn't belong to the fainthearted; it belongs to the brave… They slipped the surly bonds of Earth to touch the face of God."
His words didn't erase the pain, but they gave the country something to hold onto: honor, courage, and forward motion.
Scouts learn to face setbacks-not by quitting, but by holding fast to what matters. When others look for someone to steady the storm, we can be that voice, that presence, that strength.