Syracuse University

Pan Am Flight 103

On December 21, 1988, 35 SU students were killed in the terrorist bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland. The students were returning from a study-abroad program in Europe. That evening, Syracuse University went on with a basketball game. The university was severely criticized for going on with the game, just hours after the attack. The conduct of university officials in making the decision was also brought to the attention of the NCAA. The day after the bombing, the university's chancellor then, Dr. Melvin Eggers, said on nationwide television that he should have canceled the event. After the September 11 attacks, the NCAA took no chances and canceled all football games the weekend following the attacks so that schools do not make the mistake SU made in 1988 after Flight 103.

Related Topics:
December 21 - 1988 - Pan Am Flight 103 - Lockerbie, Scotland - September 11 attacks - NCAA

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The school later dedicated a memorial to the students killed on Flight 103 in the center of the campus. Every year, during the fall semester, the university holds an event known as "Remembrance Week," to commemorate the students. Every December 21, a service is held in the university's chapel by the university's chaplains at 2:03 p.m. (19:03 UTC), marking the exact moment in 1988 the plane was bombed.

Related Topics:
December 21 - UTC

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~