Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster, Christa McAuliffe Remembered 33 Years Later

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BOSTON (CBS) - Monday marks a tragic anniversary in American history.

The Space Shuttle Challenger exploded 33 years ago on January 28, 1986.

The space shuttle Challenger lifts off on January 28, 1986 from the Kennedy Space Center, 72 seconds before its explosion killing the crew of seven. (By Bob Pearson/AFP/Getty Images)

It happened just 73 seconds after liftoff from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Seven astronauts died, including Christa McAuliffe, the Framingham native and Concord, New Hampshire teacher who was going to become the first teacher in space.

Christa McAuliffe. (Photo By Nasa/Getty Images)

Investigators later determined that a rocket booster failure caused the fuel tank to ignite.