Today In History...7 Original Astronauts

April 9, 1959…NASA announced the selection of America's first seven astronauts: Alan Shepard, Virgil "Gus" Grissom, L. Gordon Cooper, Walter "Wally" Schirra, Donald "Deke" Slayton, John Glenn, and Scott Carpenter.

Today In History...

July 24, 1969…The Apollo 11 astronauts splashed down safely in the Pacific Ocean following their spaceflight that landed the first humans on Earth's moon.

Today In History... (Two items)

July 16, 1956…In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus gave its last performance under the big top canvas tent. As the circus thereafter became an indoor operation, LIFE magazine reported that "a magical era had passed forever."

This is a picture of Corey when he was 7.  He went to a performance of Ringling Bros. circus with Karla Bryan and each of them got made up as clowns.

July 16, 1969…Apollo 11 blasted off from Cape Kennedy, Florida, and began the first manned mission to land on the moon.

My Diary Diddle for this day read..."Today the astronauts took off for the moon.  I heard the blastoff and it just sent chills all over by body.  It was a perfect liftoff and they are still going toward the moon.  They are Armstrong, Alrin and Collins.  It just seems almost impossible for someone to be going to the moon.  I'm happy too that I'm living in this phase of history".