FILE - In this Dec. 24, 1968 file photo, the Earth shines over the horizon of the Moon in as seen by the astronauts on Apollo 8. Apollo 8 was launched from Cape Canaveral on Dec. 21, 1968. (AP Photo/FILE)
December 22, 2013 - 10:10 PM
CHICAGO - A retired astronaut is helping mark the 45th anniversary of the first manned spacecraft to orbit the moon.
Captain James Lovell Jr. is set to re-enact the Apollo 8's live Christmas Eve broadcast from December 1968. Astronauts read the first few verses of Genesis from the Bible.
According to NASA, millions tuned in. The famous "Earthrise" photo was taken during the mission, too.
Lovell is set to participate in a reenactment on Monday morning at Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry where the original Apollo 8 Command Module is. Lovell served several missions including as pilot in the Gemini 7 flight in 1965, a command module pilot on Apollo 8 and a commander of Apollo 13.
Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn is also expected to attend the event.
News from © The Associated Press, 2013