Posted on 12/23/2008 5:29:00 PM PST by tricky_k_1972
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NASA Television Commemorates Apollo 8 Christmas Eve Broadcast
WASHINGTON -- NASA Television will honor the 40th anniversary of the historic Christmas Eve broadcast by the Apollo 8 crew with special programming Dec. 24 and 25 on the NASA TV Public Channel (101).
Forty years ago, Frank Borman, Jim Lovell and Bill Anders became the first humans to visit another heavenly body as they successfully orbited the moon in their Apollo 8 spacecraft. On Dec. 24, 1968, the three astronauts devoted one of their mission's six live television transmissions to reading from the biblical book of Genesis during what has since come to be known as the Christmas Eve Broadcast.
To commemorate the anniversary, NASA TV will air the following special programs:
"The Annual John H. Glenn Lecture -- An Evening with the Apollo 8 Astronauts," a panel discussion with Frank Borman, Jim Lovell and Bill Anders recorded Nov. 13, 2008, at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum. Former U.S. senator and NASA astronaut John Glenn provided their introduction.
"The Apollo 8 Crew Remembers Historic Mission, Live from the Newseum," a panel discussion with the Apollo 8 astronauts moderated by Nick Clooney and recorded Nov. 13, 2008, at the Newseum in Washington.
"De-Brief Apollo 8," an historical documentary of Apollo 8, narrated by Burgess Meredith (1970).
"Apollo 8 Christmas Video," a 10-minute documentary featuring Apollo 8 astronauts describing their historic mission. (Excerpts from the John H. Glenn Lecture recorded Nov. 13, 2008.)
"Apollo 8 -- December 21, 1968," a NASA Manned Space Flight Film Report on the Apollo 8 mission (1970).
The NASA Television Video File also will include footage documenting the Apollo 8 mission's Christmas Eve broadcast. For program times and listings, consult the NASA Television schedule online at:
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It was so cool when he started reading from the Bible. They were scared, and you knew it was real.
I remember it from when it happened.
Gives me goosebumps just thinking about it!
As I waited, I watched the Apollo 8 mission coverage. These were heady times for the space program. Within hours, Borman, Anders and Lovell would be the first men to see the far side of the moon.
Mission Control announced that the crew had been given permission for the lunar insertion burn. Apollo 8 ducked behind the moon and the lunar orbit was established. I was on my 10th cup of coffee and still no word from the hospital. Then the crew began to read from Genesis. My heart began to soar the phone rang. I was the proud Pop of a healthy baby daughter and Mom was doing fine.
The next day I was allowed to visit Mom and my new daughter. I had just finished The Godfather and remembered that Michaels wife in Sicily had been named Apollonia. I suggested this name for my daughter but Mom nixed it. These many years later, she may be Lisa to the rest of the world, but for me shell always be Apollonia!
I didn’t think they were scared at all on Apollo 8, I’d bet they were thrilled.
Now, Armstrong and Aldrin, they were scared! :)
I remember this it was so cool and exciting. My Mom and Dad had a cook out for this with some friends over for it . I remember my older cousin came over and hooked up a reel to reel recorder to make audio record of this event.
Me too! I was 6 years old at the time, and completely enamored with the space program. I was glued to the TV set.
I can't believe that it's been 40 years!
Mark
they were definitely NOT SCARED!
It was however a wonderful experience and it still moves me every time I hear it.
Seemed to me they were because I remember the shakiness in their voices. Maybe scared is the wrong word: in total awe and wonderment is a better description. We know these were Men with the Right Stuff!
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