1978: NOAA announces gender-neutral hurricane naming system
Federal News Network presents a daily update of important moments in the history of the U.S. government.
On this day in 1959, NASA announced the first seven astronauts selected to participate in Project Mercury. Dubbed the “Mercury Seven” by the press, those chosen were John Glenn, Alan Shepard, Gordon Cooper, Scott Carpenter, Gus Grissom, Wally Schirra and Donald “Deke” Slayton. Project Mercury was the U.S.’ first manned space-flight program. Its mission was to put an American in orbit around the Earth. Shepard first went to space aboard Freedom 7 but despite reaching an altitude of 116.5 statute miles and attaining a top speed of 5,134 mph, he did not complete an orbit. That feat was completed by Glenn 11 months later.
(Wired)
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