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 (below center) viewed the liftoff
from Pad A at Cape Canaveral. He was the first president
to attend the liftoff of a manned space flight. 

Commander Charles "Pete" Conrad, Jr.; Command
Module Pilot Richard F. Gordon, Jr.; Lunar Module
Pilot Alan L. Bean.

The Space Shuttle Discovery took off on its maiden voyage
on this day in history.

For Discovery, the fourth time was the charm: The previous
three launch attempts were scrubbed, with one canceled
just six seconds before liftoff.

That aborted launch — the first of its kind for the Space
Shuttle program — occurred on June 26, 1984.

The mission was called off after an issue was discovered
with one of the main engines. 

Discovery deployed three satellites: the Satellite Business
System SBS-D; the SYCOM IV-2 (also known as LEASAT-2);
and the TELSTAR.

The crew assigned to the mission included (seated left to
right) Richard M. (Mike) Mullane, mission specialist; Steven
A. Hawley, mission specialist; Henry W. Hartsfield,
commander; and Michael L. (Mike) Coats, pilot.
Standing in the rear are Charles D. Walker, payload
specialist; and Judith A. (Judy) Resnik, mission specialist. 

ED DANAHUE

The "Mayflower", and its passengers, pilgrims from England, landed
at Plymouth Rock, MA. on this day in 1620.

Map of Native American Tribes and Pilgrim Colonies.

The first church service at Plymouth.

On this day in 1988, 270 people were killed when a Pan Am Boeing
747, Flight 103 exploded over Lockerbie, Scotland, due to a terrorist attack.
 

The destruction caused by debris from the explosion on board Pan
Am Flight 103 over the village of Lockerbie.