FIRST WOMAN IN SPACE LAUNCHED 53 YEARS AGO TODAY
Moscow, USSR (JFK+50) In the 1960 presidential campaign, Senator John F. Kennedy often spoke of the United States lagging behind the Soviet Union in the space race.
Fifty-three years ago today, June 16, 1961, the Soviets once again trumped the American space program by launching the first woman into outer space.
Valentina Tereshkova* made a total of 48 orbits of the earth aboard the Vostok 6 and spent 71 hours in space. She experienced nausea and physical discomfort for most of the 3 day flight.
The second woman in space, also a Russian, would not occur until 19 years later.
At the time of Ms. Tereshkova's launch, the United States had no women in training in the space program.
JFK DECIDES TO SEND MILITARY ADVISERS TO SOUTH VIETNAM
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) 53 years ago today, June 16, 1961, after meeting with South Vietnam envoy Nguyen Dinh Thuan, President John F. Kennedy made the decision to send American military advisers as instructors to South Vietnam to aid in the battle against the North Vietnamese Communists.
The number of US military advisers would steadily increase from 900 at the end of 1961 to 3200 by the end of 1962 and to 16,000 at the time of JFK's death in November 1963.
FORD MOTOR COMPANY CREATED 111 YEARS AGO
Detroit, Michigan (JFK+50) Henry Ford and prospective stockholders met in Detroit 111 years ago today, June 16, 1903, to sign the official paperwork to create the FORD MOTOR CORPORATION.
In 1913, the first FORD automobile was assembled at the plant on Mack Avenue here in the Motor City.
Moscow, USSR (JFK+50) In the 1960 presidential campaign, Senator John F. Kennedy often spoke of the United States lagging behind the Soviet Union in the space race.
Fifty-three years ago today, June 16, 1961, the Soviets once again trumped the American space program by launching the first woman into outer space.
Valentina Tereshkova* made a total of 48 orbits of the earth aboard the Vostok 6 and spent 71 hours in space. She experienced nausea and physical discomfort for most of the 3 day flight.
The second woman in space, also a Russian, would not occur until 19 years later.
At the time of Ms. Tereshkova's launch, the United States had no women in training in the space program.
Soviet Postage Stamp
*Valentina Tereshkova was born in the USSR on March 6, 1937. She was recruited for the Soviet space program when she was working in a textile factory and had experience in skydiving.
Tereshkova earned a PhD in Engineering in 1977.
Valentina Tereshkova
Heureka Science Centre
Finland
Photo by Mikko Tuomela (2002)
JFK DECIDES TO SEND MILITARY ADVISERS TO SOUTH VIETNAM
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) 53 years ago today, June 16, 1961, after meeting with South Vietnam envoy Nguyen Dinh Thuan, President John F. Kennedy made the decision to send American military advisers as instructors to South Vietnam to aid in the battle against the North Vietnamese Communists.
The number of US military advisers would steadily increase from 900 at the end of 1961 to 3200 by the end of 1962 and to 16,000 at the time of JFK's death in November 1963.
Vietnam Map
by GGlassey
FORD MOTOR COMPANY CREATED 111 YEARS AGO
Detroit, Michigan (JFK+50) Henry Ford and prospective stockholders met in Detroit 111 years ago today, June 16, 1903, to sign the official paperwork to create the FORD MOTOR CORPORATION.
In 1913, the first FORD automobile was assembled at the plant on Mack Avenue here in the Motor City.
1908 Ford Motor Company Ad
