50 years ago today - First American in space.

[Bubba1235]

http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/05/04/photos.first.american.space/index.html

Space flight has almost become ordinary today but I remember when just the thought of putting an American in space captivated the entire country. If your family owned a TV you were watching Walter Cronkite and hanging on every word he said. If you didn't have a TV (I know, unfathonable today) you went to visit someone that did have one.

Allen Sheapard, the guy that invented "The Right Stuff".

 

[Cadwelder]

Re: 50 years ago today - First American in space.

So true (the TV part) I was but a small lad but remember it well. My grandmother (RIP) never believed it really happened. She said it's just that Hollywood stunts going on....LOL

And when they walked on the moon....she said "Now you know, ain't nobody gonna believe that crap" Gotta love em.

 

[bassman284]

Re: 50 years ago today - First American in space.

Funny. My grandma was also a bit skeptical about it. She was skeptical about a lot of things.

 

[gstanton]

Re: 50 years ago today - First American in space.

Didn't realize that! Thanks!

Wonder why it hasn't been mentioned on the news?

 

[partskenn]

Re: 50 years ago today - First American in space.

I was in second grade. They stopped the classes, put the radio on the PA ( didn't know they could do that,.... the wonders of modern technology). Then we all went home and watched it on our tiny black and white tv.