Discover events in American history – plus the stamps that make them come alive.
Today’s Article
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May 5, 2026
Alan Shepard Becomes First American in Space
On May 5, 1961, Alan Shepard became the first American to travel into space when he launched aboard Freedom 7. The brief suborbital flight lasted just over 15 minutes, but it marked a turning point in the United States’ early space efforts.
