Mcauliffe, female, 37 years old, was born in Boston, grew up in Framingham, Massachusetts, and graduated from Framingham State University. She teaches American history, law and economics in middle and high schools in Maryland and New Hampshire. She is a prestigious sociology teacher. More than a year ago, she learned the news that an astronaut was about to be selected among civilians through the car radio. "Today," President Reagan said, "I ordered NASA to start selecting the best American teacher from all primary and secondary schools in the country as the first citizen passenger in the history of our space program." From then on, full of confidence and joy, after several months of rigorous testing and screening, this female teacher finally stood out from 1 1000 applicants and became the first civilian astronaut and space teacher in the United States. On the second day after the radio reported the results of this selection, the citizens of Concord, where Krista mcauliffe lived, held a warm celebration ceremony and parade in the city square. When Krista came to the square accompanied by her husband and children, people flocked to shake hands, hug and ask for her autograph. The mayor unexpectedly put a baton into her hand and asked her to direct the band to play home of the brave. People applauded in time. Later, Concord declared August 6th Christa mcauliffe Day.