On this day: December 24

POSTED: 10:13 PM PST Dec 21, 2012    UPDATED: 11:00 PM PST Dec 23, 2012 

"Silent Night" is first performed, the Library of Congress burns, NORAD begins tracking Santa, and man orbits the Moon for the first time, all on this day.

OTD December 24 - Apollo 8
17 / 28
NASA

1968: The crew of Apollo 8 enters into orbit around the Moon, becoming the first humans to do so. They perform 10 lunar orbits and broadcast live TV pictures as part of a famous Christmas Eve broadcast, one of the most watched programs in history.

Advertisement

Most Popular

Advertisement