Science

NASA Rover Curiosity has been making history since it descended onto the surface of the Red Planet. At a news conference Monday, the rover made history again when it broadcast from the surface of Mars. NASA sent a data file of the recording up to the rover, and then beamed it back down.

About 10,000 people live in Wapakoneta, Ohio — half that in the 1960s. In 1969, the town wanted to honor the most famous Wapakonetan (so far), the first man to step on the moon, Neil Armstrong. So they had a parade. Here's the front page of the paper that day.

On July 18, 1969, President Nixon's speechwriter Bill Safire drafted a statement — a just-in-case statement. The manned mission to the Moon was only days away. The White House was preparing for all contingencies. According to Safire, the chances of getting Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin onto the moon were pretty good.