Why do people always remember where they were when someone famous was killed? Do they feel .....?

Question

Why do people always remember where they were when someone famous was killed? Do they feel perhaps they'll need an alibi?

Answer 1

No, it's because of flashbulb memory. Some events are so shocking - like the death of JFK for instance - that they immediately sear themselves into a persons memory with a photographic quality that other memories generally do not have and therefore are more easily remembered.

Answer 2

I remember where I was because everyone makes such a fuss about whoever died. I was in jr. high when Lennon got shot. The other girls went hysterical. I just remembering being bummed that we were going to be forced to listen to Beattles music nonstop on the radio for the next week. (not a fan if you hadn't guessed)

Answer 3

That's called a flashbulb memory. When something so shocking happens, you can remember exactly where you were at the time--even what you were wearing.

I remember 9/11 exactly---down to what I was drinking (a large black cinnamon coffee.) That's how strong flashbulb memories are.

Answer 4

honestly i feel like y do we put certain people on such a pedestal when they die like celebrities are better than average people um no~ like when anna nicole smith died it was like a big deal but i mean dang im important 2 i wanna b remembered also ya kno?!