There were defining moments that will remain forever etched in the minds of millions who watched the event live on TV. One of the rescuers, Manuel Gonzalez, fully aware that entry into the rescue capsule could mean his death took the challenge and became the first man to travel with the device. He eventually reached the men trapped in the San Jose mine some 45 minutes later. Soon afterwards, there was a tearful reunion when the first miner, Florencio Avalos reached the surface. He embraced his wife and son on the surface happy to be free and alive after two months of underground agony and anxiety.
The dark Chilean desert erupted into shouts, tears, and cheers as it suddenly dawned on the world that the first of 33 miracles had just happened. A sniff here, a whimper there as fathers unable to hide their tears from their little boys freely allowed their flow, trying in vain to explain the mystery of the rescue of the miners. And across the world, millions followed the events from their television sets or computers. Those sleeping woke up to follow the rescue on television or radio. That is how humanity can unite.
