On this day: August 17
POSTED: 08:14 PM PDT Aug 16, 2012
UPDATED: 11:00 PM PDT Aug 16, 2012
Davy Crockett is born, George Orwell publishes his classic novel, the Berlin Wall claims its first victim, Bill Clinton admits to an "improper physical relationship" and Michael Phelps sets a new Olympic mark, all on this day.
NASA
1958: Pioneer 0, America's first attempt at lunar orbit, is launched using the first Thor-Able rocket and fails. The probe is destroyed by an explosion of the first stage of the Thor booster, 73.6 seconds after lift-off at nearly 10 miles over the Atlantic Ocean. The mission is notable as one of the first attempted launches beyond Earth orbit by any country.
