THIS DAY IN AIRPOWER HISTORY: On July 19, 1985, Christa McAuliffe became the first American civilian selected to travel into space.

The social studies teacher planned to film lessons in space to broadcast across the U.S. After being selected out of more than 11,000 people, McAuliffe remarked, “If you’re offered a seat on a rocket ship, don’t ask what seat. Just get on.”