NASA CREATED BY US CONGRESS
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) The Congress of the United States today passed a law creating the National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA).
NASA is to be a civilian agency created to operate the United States space program.
The agency has been created in the aftermath of the October 4, 1957 launch of the world's 1st man-made satellite, Sputnik, by the Soviet Union.
Earlier this year, on January 1, the United States launched into space Explorer I, our 1st successful satellite.
JFK CONGRATULATES GRISSOM
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy placed a call by radio telephone from the White House today to the Randolph & congratulated Air Force Captain Virgil "Gus" Grissom on his successful spaceflight.
JFK today also signed into law an amendment to the Federal Water Pollution Control Act which provides for more efficient water pollution control.
July 29, 1965
101st AIRBORNE ARRIVES IN SOUTH VIETNAM
Cam Ranh Bay, South Vietnam (JFK+50) 4000 paratroopers of the 101st Airborne Division of the United States Army arrived here today.
Most of the operations conducted by the 101st are to be in the Central Highlands & the A Shau Valley.*
*During its time of service in Vietnam, the 101st earned 17 Medals of Honor for bravery in combat.
101st Airborne Soldiers in Vietnam
July 29, 1981
PRINCE CHARLES WEDS LADY DIANA
London, England (JFK+50) Prince Charles, the heir to the British throne, married Lady Diana Spencer today in a lavish ceremony at St. Paul's Cathedral.
A television audience estimated at 750 million people watched the wedding around the world.
The service was a traditional Church of England ceremony which was presided over by the Most Reverend Robert Runcie, the Archbishop of Canterbury.
The royal couple plan to honeymoon aboard the royal yacht Britannia which will take them on an 11 day cruise on the Mediterranean Sea.
Prince Charles, Lady Diana,
Nancy & Ronald Reagan
Reagan Library Photo (1985)
John Travolta Dances With Lady Di
Reagan Library Photo (1985)
July 29, 1588
SPANISH ARMADA IS DEFEATED
London, England (JFK+50) Spain's so-called "Invincible Armada" proved to be not quite so invincible today as it was defeated by the English Navy after 8 hours of fighting off the French coast.
The English Navy was led by Lord Charles Howard & Sir Francis Drake while the Spanish Armada was led by the Duke of Medina Sidonia.
The British Navy was composed of 34 war ships while the Spanish had 22.
By the time the battle ended today, the Spanish had lost half their fleet & more than 15,000 men dead.
The Armada was forced to retreat to Scotland & the latest reports say that it is limping back to Spain.*
*The defeat of the Spanish Armada is a major turning point in world history. As a result, Great Britain became a world power. The event also ushered in the era of long range naval warfare.
Spain's Invincible Armada
