The Nation Hails Cooper (Universal Newsreel, May 1963)

Description

The original release sheet reads: THE NATION HAILS COOPER New York and Washington stage receptions for Major L. Gordon Cooper that put the astronaut into orbit again. In Washington he is received by President Kennedy who presents him with the space agency's Distinguished Service Medal. He is reunited with his mother for the first time since the flight, before parading down Pennsylvania Avenue to the capitol. He adresses a joint session of congress and receives a two-minute standing ovation. Lower Broadway is renamed Mercury Way for his reception in New York. It might well be called Cooper Canyon. It is estimated that 4,500,000 line the streets to see the man who orbited the Earth 22 times to become a national hero. Surest barometer of the popularity of his reception is the Department of Sanitation....they swept up an estimated 3,900 tons of tickertape and paper, a near-record amount! After a reception at city hall, Major Cooper receives the city's medal of honor. Well done, Major Gordon Cooper.

Collection

MCA/Universal Pictures Collection

Series

Motion Picture Releases of the Universal Newsreel Library