Christa McAuliffe Statue Unveiled at State House

A statue of Christa McAuliffe, the first teacher and private citizen in space who died in the Challenger disaster, was unveiled on the New Hampshire State House grounds, making her the first woman to be memorialized there. The 8-foot-tall bronze statue, created by sculptor Benjamin Victor, was revealed on what would have been McAuliffe's 76th birthday. The ceremony was attended by around 500 people, including her family. McAuliffe was chosen from 11,000 applicants for the Teacher in Space Project and tragically died along with six others when the Challenger exploded on January 28, 1986. Her legacy continues to inspire educators and students, with her motto, 'I touch the future; I teach,' etched on the statue. Governor Chris Sununu expressed hopes that the statue will inspire future generations of students visiting the State House.