If you were in New York City on March 1, 1962, you may remember the day the city went wild for astronaut John Glenn. If not then you may have read about it. There’s nothing like seeing it, though! Ticker tape parades, like so many other things we grew up with, are a thing of the past. And, so are parades for astronauts! But, we remember them fondly. An estimated four million New Yorkers came out to celebrate Glenn’s return from his mission as the first American in space aboard the Friendship 7. All through the streets much merriment could be heard as shouting and shreds of paper turn New York’s avenues into a grand homecoming. Glenn then gets his Congressional Gold Medal. Have a look at this wonderful moment in American history below. And you can watch a fictional space hero right here.

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