In all our lives there are world events that you never forget where you were and what you were doing when you heard the news. The first big news stories of my lifetime were when President Reagan was shot and the Challenger disaster, but I was really young and just remember being at home with my parents, not really grasping the gravity of what was happening. For me, the top 3 events that are as vivid in mind as the day(s) they happened are the OJ Simpson trial (I was obsessed), 9/11, and the day Princess Diana was killed in a Paris car crash - 25 years ago today.
It was a Saturday night and here on the east coast the news broke around 8PM on August 30th. I sat glued to the television with my family in shock, and then - oops, this isn't a completely cat-free post - when the news came around midnight that she had tragically passed away, I was outside in the driveway trying to break up a cat fight with my mom! After all those hours of watching and waiting the irony isn't lost on me that a cat played a role in my memories of that night.
It was now the wee hours of August 31st, a day I had circled on my calendar for months because I was scheduled to travel to Schaghticoke, New York's local fair to see Tom Wopat (The Dukes of Hazzard) in concert. As a huge fan of the show and his music, my parents agreed to the 3 hour trip as an early birthday gift.
The day was amazing - I got to meet him! - but it was still a bittersweet day and one I'll always remember as a very happy one for me personally, but a tragic day for the world.
Do you remember where you were and what you were doing when you heard the news that Princess Diana died?
10 comments:
I do remember the horrible news of her death. I still think how tragic she is not here to see her sons grown and her grandchildren. I believe she was a true lady. My first tragic event when I was young was President Kennedy being shot and killed. And at about 11, having school closed and staying home to watch the funeral on TV. Life, it can be bitter but sweet. Fun to see you met Tom Wopat as I always had fun watching the Dukes of Hazard.
I remember being at my mum's house thinking about going to bed when my nephew came own stairs and said Diana was in a big accident.
It was a very sad time. I also remember the shooting of President Kennedy.
It is cool that yo got to meet Tom Wopat!
I remember where I was on 9/11, but I don't know where I was when Princess Di died. I did love her though. I was in Pacifica and watched her funeral.
I was in high school when President Kennedy was assassinated. We were sent home early.
Have a fabulous day. ♥
Oh yea, the Dad was watching the TV when the news broke, so very sad, she was a special lady.
Yes, I do remember. We were coming from from dinner and hasd the car radio on and herd the sad news.
It was a very sad day.
Yes, I was at home watching TV coverage of each of the three events you mentioned. 9/11 and Princess Diana were each tragic, though the scope of the first took lives on a large scale and Diana's death included a couple of others. I think Diana's death was more personal for many. 9/11 hit so many families at their core. These are different yet still devastating. We will never forget, that's for sure.
We were out and about, and heard it over the radio that Princess Diana had been in a terrible accident.
I remember being glued to the tv. I was just looking into this recently. A lot of stuff happened in my life immediately afterward, and I never got a good accounting of what really happened. I can't say I feel any more educated, just sad.
I was 8 years old when Princess Diana was killed, and though the details of it seemed so bizarre to me, I still remember hearing the news, being shocked, and thinking how unjust it all was for her and her children. After 9/11 and its aftermath, her death is easily the second biggest event that devastated the world in my youth. I'm glad you have something far more uplifting to remember the day by. I watched reruns of The Dukes of Hazzard all the time as a kid, so I can understand your excitement in meeting Tom Wopat.
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