First big news story as a kid?

[Kjesse]

Late 70's nuclear treaty signing.

[Resolute 14]

Flames Stanley Cup final run in 86.

I have a recollection of a plane crash from that time frame as well, but no way to know which one.

[Finger Cookin]

Originally Posted by Buff

The first big thing I remember is Terry Fox's marathon and his death.

Oh yeah, that's a good one. I now remember being super into his marathon as a kid. And it predates Challenger by several years. You've got a better memory than I do.

[Lubicon]

The end of the war in Vietnam and the helicopters being dumped over the sides of the American ships as they evacuated.

[Drak]

I remember grade 4 (ages 9 and 10) being the time when I started watching news and big stories- introduced to our classroom at the time on a TV VCR combo. Two big news stories I remember from that point were the Iran Hostage situation and the Reagan/Carter election. The other big event I remember was the Mount St. Helens eruption.

[getbak]

I was born in 73.

I remember watching an Opening Ceremonies with my Mom. It was in a big stadium and the Queen was there. For the longest time, I assumed it was the Montreal Olympics, until I realized that we didn't move into the house we were in until December of 1976. So, it must have been the 1978 Commonwealth Games in Edmonton.

I also remember going with my parents to vote in the 1979 Federal Election where Joe Clark became PM for a few months.


Terry Fox's run in 1980 is probably the first ongoing story that I remember beyond just snippets.

[ernie]

Anyone who grew up in the Fraser Valley/Lower Mainland of BC and was at least 5 or so in 1980 remembers two stories. Mount St. Helens (we heard it) and Clifford Olson. Cheery.

edit: of course Terry Fox as well.

[Jiggy_12]

I think I was 9 when OJ happened. That has to be the earliest big news story I remember being interested in.

[habernac]

Commonwealth Games in 1978 is a big memory, the Iran Hostage crisis is the first big news item I can think of.

[bc-chris]

for me (born in 1973) my earliest memories are from 1977.... going to see starwars in the theaters and being in complete and total awe! we also saw it at a drive-in!

i also remember a fire truck coming to my preschool (robert (bob) munsch was my teacher!!) to show all us kids the truck and then they got a call and had to leave with lights and sirens. that was likely the day i went home and told my mom that when i grew up i wanted to be a fire truck

as for big stories i remember - my parents really sheltered us from the news (and back then there was only 1 tv in a house (maybe)). i loved space as a kid and remember being devastated when the challenger blew up. i was in grade 7 then

[Zarley]

I remember watching OJ in the white Bronco with my parents when I was 4.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Jiggy_12

I think I was 9 when OJ happened. That has to be the earliest big news story I remember being interested in.

I was in high school for OJ, and found it entirely silly how caught up in it people were. Still are, really. The principal at my school even announced the verdict over the PA

[MrMastodonFarm]

Baby Jessica trapped in the well

[socalwingfan]

I remember the serial killer in BC that turned out to be Clifford Olson. We were visiting relatives in Kelowna at the time, and I still remember being freaked out

[Senator Clay Davis]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

I was in high school for OJ, and found it entirely silly how caught up in it people were. Still are, really. The principal at my school even announced the verdict over the PA

Our teacher in our science class had the verdict on a miniTV he brought to class. Really was an event of surreal proportions.

[jayocal]

Pelle Lindbergh's death. I remember watching a montage of him with sad piano music playing. I STILL have the song in my head but have no idea what it is.

[SuperMatt18]

1993 is probably the earliest year that I remember, and I would have been 5 years old. I can remember watching the L.A vs Montreal cup finals that year. I also recall watching Joe Carter hit the world series winning home run to win back to back world series. I have no recollection of that first world series win though.

In terms of non-sports related news I feel like the first real world news that I can recall would be the OJ Simpson bronco chase.

[Puppet Guy]

I most vividly remember the Chicago Tylenol murders in 1982 for some reason.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Tylenol_murders

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Aeneas

I remember the news being about the Vietnam war. I was 4-6.
I just didn't understand how gorillas could shoot guns or drive tanks.

I remember my uncle being very mad at a hockey game in 1972. He almost smashed the TV. I was 6.

My 8 year old has a solid grasp on current world events. We talk about everything. Compared to the neighbours and his teammates, he is pretty mature though.

Isnt that the truth, he was talking to me and Cowboy about Algebra and double-entry accounting at ball on Sunday while I'm trying to drink beer and do anything but contemplate algebra and accounting.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

Baby Jessica trapped in the well

Damn. Want to say this rings a bell too, but I'm not actually sure if I just learned about it after Sting rescued Bart from the well.

That did, for some reason, remind me of a local story... the campaign to 'free' Mortimer the Cat, who was barred from being allowed outside his owner's house by court order.