By Elise Koelbl
I have always found history to be fascinating. So many different cultures and worlds have existed on the same planet as we do in our own current time period. Even going back a few decades, the world was a completely different place than it is today. Our history is filled with so many heroes and adventures, protagonists and antagonists, empires and cultures that I’m surprised I don’t see people talk about the stories of old with more passion. There are so many fans of fictional stories, such as Harry Potter and Chronicles of Narnia, who love to invest in a good engaging plot. I almost wonder if people stop to consider that this earth has fascinating stories and people of its own to tell about.
One of the stories that draws me in just as much as that of Harry Potter or Prince Caspian is the story of Christa McAuliffe. For those that don’t know, Christa was selected out of thousands of teachers for NASA’s Teacher in Space program, the first of what would have been many “citizens in space” programs. By the 1980s, space launches had drastically faded from the public’s attention since their peak in the late 60s, leading NASA to decide to allow citizens to fly in space in order to gain publicity. Out of 11,000 applicants, Christa stood out as the best teacher for the job. She showed an unrivaled passion for teaching as well as abundant kindness for others. Not only would she help NASA gain publicity, but she could also help the teachers and students of America gain a passion for learning. Unfortunately what was supposed to be a joyous adventure for Christa ended with catastrophe; she perished along with the six other astronauts on board the Challenger. In just seventy-three seconds, she was gone. The Challenger disaster struck the lives of many with grief, but though the excursion ended in death, Christa unknowingly left a legacy of inspiration for the world with her passion for living. She was the kind of person that celebrated others with a homemade batch of cookies, pushed her students forward by writing college recommendation letters even moments before the launch, and without hesitation, and always became a listening ear to those that needed it most. Though she lived almost two decades before I was born, she taught me the value of living each moment to the fullest.
While looking to the stars, there is another person that took flight in the hearts of many– Amelia Earhart. I’m sure many people are familiar with her story, as Amelia Earhart was the first woman ever to cross the Atlantic by airplane. She achieved many great feats in her humble plane as she performed dangerous feats and crossed a variety of landscapes. She did all this with a strong will and passion to push herself to do more than what was already done. One of the things that stands out to me about Amelia Earhart is that she didn’t start with an easy, wholesome childhood but rather her life had a rocky start. Her father lost his job and as a result, turned to drinking. His addiction to alcohol became so bad that eventually, Amelia’s parents had to divorce. Even though Amelia Earhart had such a painful childhood characterized in many ways by her difficult relationship with her parents, she never lost her drive and passion to overcome obstacles. The thing that strikes me the most is that Amelia Earhart was fearless. She wasn’t afraid of what people thought of her and wasn’t afraid to challenge how things were at the time. She did things simply because she wanted to. The thing that inspires me the most about her is her drive and fearlessness. She didn’t let her past define who she wanted to be.
What is it that makes history itself so inspiring? Why look to figures of the past? It’s true our world has changed since the times of long ago. Some people alive today experienced realities that are now incredibly foreign to us; but that doesn’t mean that we can’t experience them in a different way. If we’re willing to listen, there are so many people whose lives can tell stories just as exciting as fiction, if not better. If you need inspiration and guidance on how to live your future, look to the past. History is still alive and it’s waiting for you to add your chapter to its ever-expanding story. ★
