John Glenn, Jr.

John Glenn Jr. was born in Cambridge, Ohio on July 18, 1921, but his family moved to New Concord, Ohio, soon after his birth. His father was a plumber and his mother was a teacher. He was to become the first American to orbit the earth in space; he did it in 1962, and most Americans who were alive then remember the event.

He first flew in an airplane when he was eight years old, and remained fascinated with flight for most of his life. He played football, basketball, and tennis in high school, and football again in college. He married his high school sweetheart, who he had known since he was a young child; later they were to say that they never knew a time when they didn't know each other.

He quit college to join the military during World War II, and chose to fly planes for most of his service. He also served in the Korean War. Around that time, the late 50's, was the "Space Race," and he was recruited by NASA to become an astronaut. The Russians had already orbited the earth and the U.S., with Glenn, would do it in 1962.

He won the role of Senator from Ohio in 1974 and again in 1980, and decided to run for president in 1984. His presidential campaign did not have any success, probably because of bad strategy decisions. He was already famous from his days as an astronaut, and he used this general fame and popularity to win the Senate again in 1986 and 1992.

However, his reputation was stained by what became known as the Keating scandal; he was one of five senators who had accepted large campaign donations from Charles Keating related to Savings and Loan business. The outcome was that though he could keep being re-elected, he had lost some of his general reputation. He died in 2016.H


___ 1. What two things were his father known for?
a. he orbited the earth and was a Senator
b. he fixed sinks and flew airplanes
c. he orbited the earth and fixed sinks
d. he was a teacher and flew airplanes

___ 2. When did he meet his wife?
a. in high school
b. in college
c. as a young child
d. when he ran for President

___ 3. How old was he when he died?
a. 85
b. 75
c. 95
d. 87

___ 4. How many terms did he serve in the Senate?
a. two
b. four
c. three
d. one