ARLINGTON, Va. (WUSA) -- Fifty years ago today, John Glenn became the first American to orbit the earth aboard Friendship 7. The astronaut circled the globe the three times, while his family watched from their home on North Harris Street in Arlington. Glenn's wife, Annie, famously refused to allow then Vice-President Lyndon Johnson and the television media inside for the five-hour long flight.
Half a century later, that home is still standing. The Glenn's no longer live there, but it was bought by George and Amalia Manuel in 2000.
"We actually didn't know about the home's history when we came to see this property," said Amalia. "The Realtor told us about it."
"I thought it was kind of different, but I didn't really give it much thought," said George.
But over the twelve years that the Manuel's have lived in the Glenn's old home, they've learned to appreciate their piece of space history.
"There's always people coming by to see it," said George.
"I thought it's amazing," said Amalia. "I think of John Glenn as a Christopher Columbus."
The Manuels have met Glenn on a few occasions when he came back to visit his old neighborhood. On one trip, he gave them an autographed picture which reads: "P.S. Take care of my house!!"
