How’s this for American exceptionalim?
On this day in 1968, Apollo 8 blasted its way through the earth's atmosphere to begin the first U.S. mission to orbit the moon—a mission that would set the stage for the first moon landing less than a year later. On board were astronauts Frank Borman, Milwaukee native Jim Lovell and William Anders. By Christmas Eve, the Apollo 8 had begun to orbit the moon. Learn more.