What Was the First Historical Event That Left a Deep Impression on You as a Kid? (assassination, years)

[Fred314X]

The first historical event that left an impression on me was the assassination of John Kennedy (I have vague memories of the death of Pope John XXIII a few months earlier, but that didn't make much of an impression).

[annika08]

I distinctly remember the Berlin Wall coming down, and the unification of East and West Germany.

This hit home for us because my father is from Germany.

[Narcissus23]

The Vietnam War. I remember hearing news commentators talking about the American Soldiers fighting the Gorillas. Used to think they were fighting monkeys. LOL!!!!

[dubyanumberone]

I clearly remember the 1984 Presidential Election. We made a big deal about it in school.

I remember watching the Challenger Explosion live on television in school.

Ronald Reagan ordering an attack on Quadaffi/Libya.

I remember the fall of Jim Bakker and Jimmy Swaggart.

I remember what a huge scare AIDS was in the mid 1980's highlighted by Ryan White (the child that got AIDS from a blood transfusion).

I remember spending every free moment watching the news during the 1st Gulf War. Seemed like every time you turned on the TV there were constant breaking news updates. This, to me was the start of the "24 hour news cycle". I remember that even during the Super Bowl (Giants/Bills and the best ever IMO) they were constantly discussing the war.

[dubyanumberone]

A couple more

Berlin Wall coming down.
Ted Bundy finally riding the lighting.
Michael Jackson's hair catching on fire.
Parents brawling over Cabbage Patch Kids.
The Nightstalker finally getting arrested.
Charles and Diana wedding.

Some of these aren't exactly world altering events but they stand out in my mind because of all the attention they received at the time or just remind you of childhood. Anyone between 25 and 40 remembers the Cabbage Patch Kid craze for example. Puts the Elmo or Wii crazes to shame. people were literally BEATING each other up to get those dolls. LOL.

[Mistoftime]

I was five years old when JFK was assassinated. I came into my Grandmother's house from playing outside and found her crying, wondering what was wrong, she told me "Someone has killed our president"

[OC Investor2]

Iranian Hostage crisis. I will never forget the national malaise we were under. I can even remeber the odd/even gas rationing. God, the late 70's sucked!

[Cali BassMan]

I remember my Father telling me to sit down and watch this, As Neil Armstrong stepped on the moon

[AnnieA]

Kennedy Assassination.

[ProgShred]

The Vietnam War was going on for about a year when I was born. It was a big deal when it ended and the men started coming back and we had a few new Vietnamese kids at our school. We thought they were freindly and wonder why our country would go to war with them.