Origins & Early Life

Edward Higgins White II (November 14, 1930 – January 27, 1967) was an American aeronautical engineer, United States Air Force officer, test pilot, and NASA astronaut. He was a member of the crews of Gemini 4 and Apollo 1. After graduating from West Point in 1952 with a Bachelor of Science degree, White was sent to flight training, and assigned to the 22nd Fighter Day Squadron at Bitburg Air Base, West Germany, where he flew the F-86 Sabre and F-100 Super Sabre fighters. In 1958, he enrolled in the University of Michigan to study aeronautical engineering, receiving his Master of Science degree in 1959.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

White then received test pilot training at Edwards Air Force Base, California, before being assigned as a test pilot for the Aeronautical Systems Division at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. White was selected as one of the second group of astronauts, the so-called "Next Nine", who were chosen to take part in the Gemini and Apollo missions. He was assigned as pilot of Gemini 4 alongside command pilot James McDivitt. On June 3, 1965, White became the first American to walk in space. He was then assigned as senior pilot of the first crewed Apollo mission, Apollo 1.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

White died on January...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Alfred Wegener — Contemporary (Died in 1930) (1930): Pioneering geophysicist known for proposing the theory of continental drift.
• Ali al-Sistani — Contemporary (Born in 1930) (1930): Leading Twelver Shia scholar and Grand Ayatollah of Najaf, Iraq.
• Allan Bloom — Contemporary (Born in 1930) (1930): American philosopher and classicist known for championing Great Books education.
• Akshay Kumar — Contemporary (Born in 1967) (1967): Veteran Indian actor and producer known for action roles and prolific career.
• Aleksandr Karelin — Contemporary (Born in 1967) (1967): Dominant Greco-Roman wrestler, nicknamed the "Russian Bear", celebrated for unmatched Olympic success.
• Benicio del Toro — Contemporary (Born in 1967) (1967): Esteemed Puerto Rican actor known for intense, versatile performances.
• A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada — Shared historical date (11-14 · Died) (1977): Pioneering global spread of Krishna consciousness teachings and the Hare Krishna mantra.
• Aaron Copland — Shared historical date (11-14 · Born) (1900): Pioneering American composer, conductor, and critic, known as the "Dean of American Music".
• Abbas the Great — Shared historical date (01-27 · Born) (1571): Fifth Safavid Shah of Iran, considered one of the greatest rulers in Iranian history.
• Balthasar Neumann — Shared historical date (01-27 · Born) (1687): Master architect of the High Baroque period in Central Europe.
• 1930 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1930
• November 14 (11-14) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on November 14
• 1967 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1967
• January 27 (01-27) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on January 27