On February 20, 1962, history was made when John Glenn became the first American to orbit the earth. He instantly became a national hero. But, it wasn't the only thing making headlines that day. What else was being reported?

SOURCES

“Accused Slayer Leaves Hospital, Is Recaptured.” Albuquerque Journal (Albuquerque, New Mexico), November 23, 1962. www.newspapers.com.

“Advertisement (Page 3): West Coast Air.” The Idaho Statesman (Boise, Idaho), February 20, 1962. www.newspapers.com.

Associated Press. “The People Pray.” Springfield Leader and Press (Springfield, Missouri), February 20, 1962. www.newspapers.com.

Associated Press. “Zoo Snake Attacker Is Arrested.” Mt. Vernon Register-News (Mt. Vernon, Illinois), February 19, 1962. www.newspapers.com.

Biography.com Editors. “John Glenn.” Biography.com, May 6, 2021. https://www.biography.com/scientists/john-glenn.

Butler, Chris. “Glenn Orbits In Shot Heard Around World.” Orlando Evening Star (Orlando, Florida), February 20, 1962. www.newspapers.com.

“Cold War U-2 Pilot Gets Posthumous Silver Star.” Air Force. Accessed June 12, 2024. https://www.af.mil/News/Article Display/Article/110999/cold-war-u-2-pilot-gets-posthumous-silver-star/.

“Francis Gary Powers.” Wikipedia, June 1, 2024. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Gary_Powers.

Hudson, Don. “Ruiz Found Insane, Sent to Hospital.” The Santa Fe New Mexican (Santa Fe, New Mexico), October 26, 1962. www.newspapers.com.

Jenkins, Jay. “It’s No Lie Sam -- You’re Going Free.” The Charlotte Observer (Charlotte, North Carolina), February 20, 1962. www.newspapers.com.

“John Glenn Becomes First American to Orbit Earth | February 20, 1962.” History.com. Accessed June 12,2024. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/an-american-orbits-earth.

McADA, Bill. “Ruiz Admits Impossible Burch Slaying.” The Santa Fe New Mexican (Santa Fe, New Mexico), February 20, 1962. www.newspapers.com.

McADA, Bill. “Ruiz Admits Impossible Burch Slaying.” The Santa Fe New Mexican (Santa Fe, New Mexico), February 20, 1962. www.newspapers.com.

“Pilot Agrees to Lie Detectors In Probe By Intelligent Agents.” The Macon News (Macon, Georgia), February 20, 1962. www.newspapers.com.

“Seven Take French Leave From Hospital.” The Santa Fe New Mexican (Santa Fe, New Mexico), November 25, 1962. www.newspapers.com.

“U-2 Overflights and the Capture of Francis Gary Powers, 1960.” U.S. Department of State. Accessed June 12, 2024. https://history.state.gov/milestones/1953-1960/u2-incident.

United Press International. “Smashed Cages.” Evansville Press (Evansville, Indiana), February 20, 1962. www.newspapers.com.

United Press International. “Youth Admits Killing Woman in Santa Fe.” The Albuquerque Tribune (Albuquerque, New Mexico), September 29, 1961. www.newspapers.com.

United Press International. “Zombie Man Rips Into Snake Cages.” The Lebanon Daily Record (Lebanon, Missouri), February 19, 1962. www.newspapers.com.

SOUND SOURCES

Al Jolson. “I’ll Say She Does.” www.pixabay.com/music.

Lucille Hegamin and The Dixie Daisies. “Cold Winter Blues.” www.pixabay.com/music.

Sophie Tucker. “Reuben Rag.” www.pixabay.com/music.