https://news.yahoo.com/25-years-ago-amazing-auroras-1989s-great-solar-113634466.html
I was living in Huguenot NY when that happened.
We lost power for a few days.
There were red aurora visible to the north.
Take a look on a map and see where “Port Jervis NY” is, I was a few miles north of PJ.
It was a blast, absolutely dark that night, still, quiet, people standing outside wondering what happened.
First physics experiment was it? :)