ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) — On December 27, 1968, the Apollo 8 mission returned safely to Earth after a record six days in space.

Apollo 8 was launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida on Dec. 21, 1968. It had three astronauts on board: Frank Borman, James Lovell Jr. and William Anders.

The rocket entered into orbit around the moon on Christmas Eve 1968 and the crew gave a live broadcast to audiences around the world while they were making history as the first ever people to see the far side of the moon.

After 10 trips around the moon, Apollo 8 left its orbit and began heading home on Christmas Day. They landed safely in the Pacific Ocean two days later.

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