The first photograph taken by humans of Earthrise during
the Apollo 8 mission. 

The prime crew of the Apollo 8 lunar orbit mission pose
for a portrait next to the Apollo Mission Simulator at the
Kennedy Space Center (KSC). Left to right, they are
James A. Lovell Jr., command module pilot; William
A. Anders, lunar module pilot; and Frank Borman,
commander.

Apollo 8, the first manned mission to the moon, returns safely
to Earth after an historic six-day journey.

On December 21, Apollo 8 was launched by a three-stage
Saturn 5 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida, with
astronauts Frank Borman, James Lovell, Jr., and
William Anders aboard.

On Christmas Eve, the astronauts entered into orbit around
the moon, the first manned spacecraft ever to do so.

During Apollo 8‘s 10 lunar orbits, television images were sent
back home and spectacular photos were taken of the Earth
and the moon from the spacecraft.

On Christmas morning, Apollo 8 left its lunar orbit and began
its journey back to Earth, landing safely in the Pacific Ocean
on December 27 (below).

ED DANAHUE

Jane Fonda with father Henry Fonda.

Actress, activist and fitness guru Jane Fonda, known for
her roles in films like "Klute," "Barbarella" and "9 to 5."
is 88 years young today.

Left: The crew of Apollo 12 – Charles “Pete” Conrad,
left, Richard F. Gordon, and Alan L. Bean. Right:

Apollo 12, the second manned mission to the surface of
the moon,was launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida,
with astronauts Charles Conrad, Jr.; Richard F. Gordon,
Jr.; and Alan L. Bean aboard.

President Richard Nixon viewed the liftoff from Pad A at
Cape Canaveral. He was the first president to attend the
liftoff of a manned space flight.

Thirty-six seconds after takeoff, lightning struck the
ascending Saturn 5 launch rocket (below )which tripped
the circuit breakers in the command module and caused
a power failure.

Fortunately, the launching rocket continued up normally,
and within a few minutes power was restored in the
spacecraft.

President Richard Nixon (white coat) viewing the liftoff of
Apollo 12.

     
    
  
    
    
    
   
Apollo 7, the first manned Apollo mission,was launched with
astronauts Walter M. Schirra, Jr.; Donn F. Eisele; and Walter
Cunningham aboard.

Neil Alden Armstrong (August 5, 1930 – August 25, 2012)