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First American in Space
NASA astronaut Alan Shephard was the first American to fly into Space. His spaceship was the mercury capsule Freedom 7. The flight lasted 15 minutes. -
Susan's 4th Birthday
Susan turned 4 the day after Alan Shephard flew into space. -
President Kennedy's Speech
Russia beat America by sending the first human into space by only 28 days. President Kennedy wanted to beat the Russians to the moon. In a special message to Congress, Kennedy said, "I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to the earth." -
First American Orbits the Earth
John Glenn, a NASA astronaut, was the first American to fly a spaceship all the way around the Earth. His spaceship was the mercury capsule Friendship 7. He orbited around the Earth three times and was in space for almost 5 hours. -
Apollo 11 Liftoff
Apollo 11 was launched by NASA at 9:32 am from Cape Kennedy, Florida. -
My Story Begins
My historical fiction story begins the day Apollo 11 is launched. Susan is 12 years old when she watches the liftoff in her 7th grade classroom at school that morning. As she watches the launch, Susan remembers past events. First, Alan Shephard flew into space the day before her 4th birthday, and she got to see President Kennedy on TV a few days later. Then, John Glenn orbited the Earth the next year. Susan has dreamed of being an astronaut ever since. -
The Moon Landing
TV Coverage of Apollo 11 Two NASA astronauts, Neil Armstrong and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin, were the first humans to land on the moon at 4:17 pm. Their mission was called Apollo 11. The third astronaut on Apollo 11 was Michael Collins. Michael Collings flew the Command Module around the moon while Neil Armstrong flew the Lunar Module down to the moon.
When he stepped on the moon, Neil Armstrong said, "That's one small step for man, but a giant leap for mankind." -
My Story Ends
My historical story will end on July 20 when Susan watches the moon landing on her television. All of her family and friends get together that afternoon to watch the exciting event. Susan decides that one day she will become the first woman to walk on the moon.
