Aviation History: Discovery Crash & John Glenn

Filed in archive Aviation History on February 23, 2008

This month in aviation history features the first American to orbit Earth and the first woman to pilot the space shuttle.

February 3, 1959: Rock singers, Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, and Big Bopper died in a plane crash.

February 3, 1995: Col. Eileen Collins became the first woman to pilot the space shuttle when the Discovery blasted off.

February 20, 1962: John Glenn became the first American to orbit Earth.

February 22, 1935: Airplanes were no longer permitted to fly over the White House.

Thanks Infoplease!