Apollo 5 was the uncrewed first flight of the Apollo Lunar Module (LM), which would later carry astronauts to the lunar surface. The liftoff of the Saturn IB rocket bearing LM-1 (pictured), the first LM, from Cape Kennedy followed long delays, due in part to setbacks in development of the LM at Grumman, the manufacturer. The original rocket was taken down during the delays and replaced with the one atop which the Apollo 1 fire that killed three astronauts had taken place. LM-1 arrived at the Kennedy Space Center in June 1967; the following months were occupied in testing. After further delays, the countdown began on January 21, 1968, with launch the following day. Although due to programming problems a mission different from that originally planned was executed, the mission was successful enough that a contemplated second uncrewed mission to test the LM was cancelled, advancing NASA's plans to land an astronaut on the Moon by the end of the 1960s, with a safe return to Earth.

Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_5

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1855:

A series of hoof-like marks in the snow continuing through the countryside for some 40 to 100 miles (60 to 160 km) were discovered in Devon, England. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devil%27s_Footprints

1913:

A meteor procession was visible across much of eastern North and South America, leading astronomers to conclude that the body had been a small, short-lived natural satellite of the Earth. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1913_Great_Meteor_Procession

1964:

As Beatlemania swept the U.S., the Beatles made their first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show before a record-breaking audience, beginning a musical phenomenon known as the British Invasion. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Invasion

1976:

The Australian Defence Force was formed by the integration of the Australian Army, the Royal Australian Navy, and the Royal Australian Air Force. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Defence_Force

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

gassy: 1. Having the nature of, or containing, gas. 2. (specifically) Of a beverage: containing dissolved gas (usually carbon dioxide); fizzy. 3. (specifically) Of a person: tending to burp; burpy. 4. (specifically) Of a person: tending to release flatus; flatulent. 5. Of food or drink: tending to cause flatulence. 6. (figuratively, informal) Tending to be long-winded or wordy, especially in a boastful and vain manner. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/gassy

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

Truth is not spoken in anger. Truth is spoken, if it ever comes to be spoken, in love.   --J. M. Coetzee https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/J._M._Coetzee