VALENTINA TERESHKOVA & VOSTOK 6

SOVIETS LAUNCH FIRST WOMAN IN SPACE

           
Moscow, USSR (JFK+50) On June 16, 1963, the Soviet Union successfully launched Valentina Tereshkova* into space aboard Vostok 6**.  The cosmonaut was the first woman to travel in space.  

Tereshkova made 48 orbits of the earth, flying for a period of 71 hours.  She parachuted to earth after being ejected from her spacecraft at 20,000 feet.

She was presented with the Order of Lenin and the Hero of the Soviet Union award.

*Valentina Vladimirovna Tereshkova was born in Maslennikova, Russia in 1937.  Her training in skydiving led to selection for cosmonaut training.  In 1966, VVT became a member of the Supreme Soviet.

**Vostok 6 was manufactured by the Experimental Design Bureau of the USSR.  Today it is displayed at the RKK Energia Museum near Moscow.

SOURCE

"First Woman In Space", June 16:  This Day In History, www.history.com/

Vostok 6

Science Museum

London (2016)

Photo by Andrew Gray

FIRST WOMAN IN SPACE

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.

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

SOVIETS LAUNCH 1ST WOMAN IN SPACE

June 16, 1961


SOVIETS LAUNCH 1ST WOMAN IN SPACE


The Soviet space program has once again trumped the American space program by launching the 1st woman into outer space.


Valentina Tereshkova made a total of 48 orbits of the earth & spent 71 hours in space.


NASA has no women currently training as astronauts.

June 16, 1961


JFK PLANS TO SEND MILITARY ADVISERS TO VIETNAM


After meeting with South Vietnam envoy Nguyen Dinh Thuan today, President Kennedy has decided to send US military advisers as instructors to South Vietnam.*


*The number of US military advisers will steadily increase from 900 at the end of 1961 to 3200 by the end of 1962 & to 16,000 at the time of JFK's death in November 1963.

Vietnam Map

by GGlassey

June 16, 1962


2 US ARMY OFFICERS KILLED IN VIETNAM


Two United States Army officers were killed in South Vietnam today during an ambush by communist rebels about 30 miles north of Saigon.


Reports indicate that about 20 South Vietnamese were also killed in the ambush.


The communist insurgents are using landmines, rifles, machine guns & even a bazooka.


June 16, 1903


FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS INCORPORATED IN DETROIT


Henry Ford & prospective stockholders in the Ford Motor Company met in Detroit today to sign the official paperwork to create their new corporation.*


*In 1913 the 1st Ford automobile was assembled at the Ford plant on Mack Avenue in Detroit.

1908 Ford Motor Company Ad


June 16. 1884


FIRST ROLLER COASTER IN AMERICA OPENS AT CONEY ISLAND


The Roller Coaster has arrived in America.  The first American roller coaster began operation today at Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York.


The coaster, known as Lamarcus Thompson's Switchback Railroad, costs 5 cents per ride.


It travels at speeds up to 6 miles per hour.

The Roller Coaster Comes to America


June 16, 1858


LINCOLN SAYS "A HOUSE DIVIDED....CAN NOT STAND"


Senatorial candidate Abraham Lincoln addressed a thousand delegates at the Illinois State Republican Convention today in Springfield.


Mr. Lincoln had strong words about the possibility that the slavery issue could potentially destroy the Union.


Quoting from the Bible, Mr. Lincoln said:


"A house divided against itself cannot stand.  This government cannot remain half-slave and half-free."


Even some of Lincoln's friends & supporters expressed concern regarding the "radical" tone of Lincoln's words.

Abraham Lincoln in 1860

Photo by Matthew Brady