1998 John Glenn - First American to Orbit Earth, Mint, Sheet of 8 Stamps, Palau

Stamps Celebrate John Glenn’s First Space Flight 

In April 1959, seven men were chosen to take part in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Project Mercury, and John Glenn was one of them. Three years later, the spacecraft “Friendship 7” blasted into space with Glenn inside the capsule. On February 20, 1962, he became...  more

Stamps Celebrate John Glenn’s First Space Flight 

In April 1959, seven men were chosen to take part in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Project Mercury, and John Glenn was one of them. Three years later, the spacecraft “Friendship 7” blasted into space with Glenn inside the capsule. On February 20, 1962, he became the first American to orbit the Earth. Upon his return Astronaut Glenn was a national hero, with his own ticker-tape parade and a service medal awarded by President Kennedy. This scene is pictured on one of the stamps on this sheet.

When most people are slowing down and enjoying their twilight years, John Glenn was asked to return to space. On October 29, 1998, the space shuttle Discovery blasted off with Glenn aboard. At age 77, Glenn became the oldest person to go into space. When he returned to earth, another ticker-tape parade was held in his honor.