Born on December 24
Earthrise
Home, seen from the Moon.
Next: December 24, 2026
Where it comes from
On 24 December 1968, Frank Borman, Jim Lovell and Bill Anders of Apollo 8 became the first people to orbit the Moon. On their fourth pass, as Borman turned the spacecraft, the Earth rose above the barren lunar horizon, and Anders took the photograph now known as 'Earthrise': a blue and white planet, partly in shadow…
How it's celebrated
That evening the crew sent a live broadcast from lunar orbit, showing viewers pictures of the Earth and the Moon. There is no organised observance, but the anniversary is a good night to look up: find the Moon, show a child the photograph, or send it to someone far away with a note that we all share one small planet.
Did you know
Earthrise had happened on Apollo 8's three earlier orbits too; the crew saw it only on the fourth, because the spacecraft happened to be turning at the right moment.
Read the full story of Earthrise
Star sign
Capricorn · December 22 – January 19 · Earth sign
Patient and ambitious, climbing steadily to the top.