October 14, 1958
PIONEER I: Washington, 11 – The satellite Pioneer I, launched from Cape Canaveral in Florida yesterday, is the largest satellite ever launched by the United States. It has broken all records set by US and Russian satellites. Even if it does not achieve the purpose for which it was built by the newly established US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), it will have reached an unprecedented distance from the Earth. The record is held by a US rocket that reached a point between 4,500 and 6,500 kilometers from the Earth. The actual distance remains a secret. Pioneer 1 is the first man-made object to enter outer space. An announcement made here an hour after the launch of the rocket stated that the first signals received showed that it was on course and moving almost as fast as expected. POPE PIUS XII: Vatican City – Vatican City’s radio station issued an official announcement today that Pope Pius XII has passed away. His death came at about 3.50 a.m. local time. Italian President Giovanni Gronchi and Prime Minister Amintore Fanfani expressed the nation’s deep sorrow and ordered a period of national mourning.
