#1371- 6¢ Apollo 8 Moon Orbit Plate Block

Launched on December 21, 1968 Apollo 8 became the first manned spacecraft to journey beyond Earth's orbit. Its 3 man crew of Frank Borman, James Lovell and William Anders were the first astronauts to reach and orbit the Moon. They were the first to witness "Earthrise" from the backside of the moon, which was the inspiration for this US postage stamp. On Christmas Eve, the crew made a television broadcast where they read the first 10 verses from the Book of Genesis. At the time this broadcast was the most-watched event in television history! Scott 1371 Apollo 8