Today in the 20th Century: Edward White Becomes the First American to Walk in Space (June 3, 1965)

On June 3, 1965, Edward White exits the open hatch of the Gemini 4 space capsule, attached with a 25-foot tether, and becomes the first American to walk in space. The spacewalk was so fascinating that White tried to delay returning as much as he could. When he finally decided to end the EVA, he said:
"I'm coming back in... it's the saddest moment of my life."

Ed White lost his life two years later, during the tragic test launch of Apollo 1 when a fire broke out in the pure oxygen-filled cabin, killing White and two other astronauts.

video source: Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum