I worked at a science lab that year in downstate Illinois, and the lab director was having a house-party that afternoon. I remember CBS "breaking in" on their regular programming with wall-to-wall coverage of AA191 (that was the year before CNN debuted).
At the time none of us had connections to aviation - but many had family or friends in Chi-town. The party became very quiet (and the BBQ was forgotten) as we just sat and watched the reporting.
Should be emphasized (it's in the report, of course) that an improvised engine maintenance procedure with a forklift damaged the aft pylon/wing attachment, which eventually broke under fatigue. When the engine came off, it took out the slat hydraulics - and also took with it Bus 1 power for the "slats disagree" warning and the sole stick-shaker (left seat). Crew simply had no chance of knowing what they were dealing with, flew correct engine-out procedure (climb at V2), and stalled the slatless wing. A particularly ugly coincidence of swiss-cheese holes.