The Christa McAuliffe Commemorative Coin Act of 2019 () authorized the production of a commemorative silver dollar to commemorate the life of Christa McAuliffe, a former social studies teacher who in 1985, was chosen to be the first participant in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Teacher in Space program. On January 28, 1986, McAuliffe and six astronauts were tragically killed when Space Shuttle "Challenger" exploded after launch. The act allowed the coins to be struck in both proof and uncirculated finishes. The coin was first released on January 28, 2021, the 35th anniversary of the disaster.