Fifty Years Ago Today, March 1, 1966

Soviet Hits Venus With Space 'Ship'

A one-ton unmanned Russian space ship landed today on the planet Venus and planted the Soviet coat of arms in an historic breakthrough in man's conquest of space. The automatic space ship Venus 3 covered the 24-million-mile distance in three and a half months, giving the Russians another major first over the United States.

Health Plan

President Johnson submitted to Congress today a cradle-to-old-age health and education program to help feed poor children and meet the hospital needs of the elderly.

Viet Nam

The House votes today on President Johnson's $4.8 billion Viet Nam money bill, with Speaker John W. McCormack, D-Mass, predicting approval.

This story was originally published February 29, 2016 at 12:03 PM with the headline "Fifty Years Ago Today, March 1, 1966 ."