Remembering History: In 1959, John Glenn was selected by NASA as one of the seven original astronauts in the U.S. space program. On February 20, 1962, he became the first American to orbit the earth in the Friendship 7.

In 1959, John Glenn was selected by NASA as one of the seven original astronauts in the U.S. space program. On February 20, 1962, he became the first American to orbit the earth in the Friendship 7.

In 1959, John Glenn was selected by NASA as one of the seven original astronauts in the U.S. space program. On February 20, 1962, he became the first American to orbit the earth in the Friendship 7.