Hi there! My name is John Glenn, and I grew up in Ohio's expansive countryside, where the possibilities seemed limitless. I used to spend hours as a child building model airplanes and observing birds flying overhead. I've always wondered what flying might be like, and perhaps someday I'll even venture out into space and beyond the clouds. I eventually enlisted in the military, received piloting training, and flew missions during the Korean War and World War II. However, the most significant event in my life took place during the Cold War, a tense period when the Soviet Union and the United States were engaged in a bitter competition to be the first to explore space. Before reading my story, ask yourself, "How does competition between rival countries shape national identity?"

        On February 20, 1962, I climbed into my tiny spaceship called Friendship 7. I was the first American to orbit the Earth! When my ship started to have problems, I didn’t panic. I said, “This is Friendship 7, going to manual control.” I took over the spaceship myself. People all across the United States watched and cheered. I wasn’t just flying for me—I was flying for every American. My flight proved that we were smart, strong, and ready to lead in space. It gave the country hope and pride.

My flight was even described as a "magnificent achievement for the country" by President Kennedy. I was proud of that. People were convinced by my circumnavigation of the globe that the United States could achieve great things even if we fell behind. My mission united Americans and gave people hope. It also demonstrated to other nations that the United States was a leader in science and technology in addition to space.