THIS DAY IN HISTORY: Astronaut John Glenn Jr. Honored by President Kennedy at Hangar S in Cape Canaveral
By Space Coast Daily // February 23, 2026
Flashback to February 23, 1962
BREVARD COUNTY • CAPE CANAVERAL, FLORIDA – On February 23, 1962, just three days after making history, astronaut John H. Glenn Jr. was honored by President John F. Kennedy at Hangar S in Cape Canaveral.
Glenn had successfully orbited the Earth aboard the spacecraft Friendship 7 on February 20, becoming the first American to circle the globe in space.
His achievement marked a pivotal moment in the Space Race and restored national confidence during a tense period of Cold War competition.
At the time, Glenn was only the fifth human ever to travel into space.
The ceremony at Hangar S celebrated not only Glenn’s courage and skill, but also the technological accomplishments of America’s early space program. His three-orbit mission captivated the nation, with millions of Americans watching updates and awaiting confirmation of his safe return to Earth.
Glenn’s legacy extended far beyond his historic Mercury mission. In 1974, he was elected to the United States Senate, representing Ohio for four terms before retiring in 1999.
Decades after his first flight, Glenn returned to space in 1998 aboard Space Shuttle mission STS-95, becoming the oldest person ever to fly in space at age 77.
From pioneering astronaut to longtime U.S. senator, John Glenn’s career remains one of the most remarkable in American history — and February 23, 1962, stands as a proud moment for Florida and the nation.
