1962: US astronaut John Glenn orbits Earth
The first American to orbit the Earth landed safely in the Atlantic Ocean on 20 February 1962.
Marine Lieutenant John Glenn, 40, travelled about 81,000 miles (more than 130,000km) as he circled the globe three times at more than 17,000 mph (27,000kph).
As he re-entered the atmosphere after his four-hour and 56-minute journey Lieutenant Glenn said: "Boy, that was a real fireball."
The US Earth orbit took place 10 months and 10 days after Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first man in space, making one circulation of the globe.
This clip is from John Glenn: An American in Space, which was broadcast on 21 February 1962.