50 years ago, astronaut john glenn became the first american to orbit the earth. the entire flight was just under five hours. he orbited the earth three times in a spacecraft named friendship 7. next a 1963 film about john glenn tracking him from his boyhood growing up in new concord, ohio, through his historic spaceflight. this is half an hour. there are milestones in human progress that mark recorded history. in my judgment, this nation s orbital pioneering in space is of such historic stature, representing as it does a vast advancement that will profoundly influence the progress of all mankind, it signals also a call for alertness to our national opportunities and responsibilities. it requires physical and moral stamina to equal the stresses of these times and a willingness to meet the dangers and challenges of the future. john glenn throughout his life has eloquently portrayed these great qualities and is an inspiration to all america. this film, in paying tribute t