Astronaut
John Glenn
John Glenn was born on July 18, 1921 in Cambridge, Ohio. He was selected as an astronaut at age 38 and was elected to the U.S. Senate at 53.
John Glenn was born in 1921 and lived to age 95. Anyone born before 1921 is older than John. Anyone over 95 is older than John ever was.
Born
July 18, 1921
Cambridge, Ohio
World pop: ~1.9B
Died
December 8, 2016
World pop: ~7.5B
John's age at death
95
Your age
20
Are you older than John Glenn?
No — John Glenn was born in 1921. You were born in 2006, making you 85 years younger. John lived to age 95. You are currently 20, so you are not yet older than John was when he died.
At your age (20), John hadn't yet reached his first major milestone. John was 38 when he was selected as an astronaut — that's 18 years from now for you.
John's Life Timeline
John Glenn was born on July 18, 1921, in Cambridge, Ohio. He grew up in a modest family and showed an early interest in aviation, which led him to join the U.S. Navy during World War II. After the war, he became a test pilot and earned a reputation for his flying skills, which eventually paved the way for his selection as an astronaut in the early 1960s.
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Glenn was 40 years old when he became the first American to orbit the Earth on February 20, 1962, aboard the Friendship 7 spacecraft. This historic flight made him a national hero and a symbol of American ingenuity during the Space Race. After his time in space, he served as a U.S. senator from Ohio from 1974 to 1999, where he focused on issues related to science and technology. At the age of 77, he returned to space on the Space Shuttle Discovery in 1998, becoming the oldest person to fly in space.
John Glenn passed away on December 8, 2016, at the age of 95. His legacy as a pioneering astronaut and dedicated public servant continues to inspire future generations. Glenn's contributions to space exploration and his commitment to public service have left an indelible mark on American history, making him a celebrated figure in both fields.
Was selected as an astronaut
John Glenn was 38 years old when he was selected as one of NASA's original Mercury 7 astronauts in 1959. This selection was a pivotal moment in his career and the beginning of his journey into space exploration.
John Glenn was 38 years old when he was selected as an astronaut in 1959. Are you older than John was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Orbited the Earth
John Glenn was 40 years old when he orbited the Earth on February 20, 1962, aboard the Friendship 7 spacecraft. This mission marked a significant milestone in the Space Race and established Glenn as a national hero.
John Glenn was 40 years old when he orbited the Earth in 1962. Are you older than John was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Was elected to the U.S. Senate
John Glenn was 53 years old when he was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1974. His experience as an astronaut and a veteran brought valuable insights to his legislative work, particularly in science and technology.
John Glenn was 53 years old when he was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1974. Are you older than John was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Received the Congressional Gold Medal
John Glenn was 77 years old when he received the Congressional Gold Medal in 1998. This honor recognized his significant contributions to the United States' space program and his service to the nation.
John Glenn was 77 years old when he received the Congressional Gold Medal in 1998. Are you older than John was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Returned to space
John Glenn was 77 years old when he returned to space on the Space Shuttle Discovery in 1998. This mission made him the oldest person to fly in space, demonstrating that age is not a barrier to exploration.
John Glenn was 77 years old when he returned to space in 1998. Are you older than John was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Passed away
John Glenn was 95 years old when he passed away on December 8, 2016. His death marked the end of an era for American space exploration and public service.
John Glenn was 95 years old when he passed away in 2016. Are you older than John was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Age by Year
| Year | Age | Notable Event |
|---|---|---|
| 1921 | 0 | |
| 1922 | 1 | |
| 1923 | 2 | |
| 1924 | 3 | |
| 1925 | 4 | |
| 1926 | 5 | |
| 1927 | 6 | |
| 1928 | 7 | |
| 1929 | 8 | |
| 1930 | 9 | |
| 1931 | 10 | |
| 1932 | 11 | |
| 1933 | 12 | |
| 1934 | 13 | |
| 1935 | 14 | |
| 1936 | 15 | |
| 1937 | 16 | |
| 1938 | 17 | |
| 1939 | 18 | |
| 1940 | 19 | |
| 1941 | 20 | |
| 1942 | 21 | |
| 1943 | 22 | |
| 1944 | 23 | |
| 1945 | 24 | |
| 1946 | 25 | |
| 1947 | 26 | |
| 1948 | 27 | |
| 1949 | 28 | |
| 1950 | 29 | |
| 1951 | 30 | |
| 1952 | 31 | |
| 1953 | 32 | |
| 1954 | 33 | |
| 1955 | 34 | |
| 1956 | 35 | |
| 1957 | 36 | |
| 1958 | 37 | |
| 1959 | 38 | was selected as an astronaut |
| 1960 | 39 | |
| 1961 | 40 | |
| 1962 | 41 | orbited the Earth |
| 1963 | 42 | |
| 1964 | 43 | |
| 1965 | 44 | |
| 1966 | 45 | |
| 1967 | 46 | |
| 1968 | 47 | |
| 1969 | 48 | |
| 1970 | 49 | |
| 1971 | 50 | |
| 1972 | 51 | |
| 1973 | 52 | |
| 1974 | 53 | was elected to the U.S. Senate |
| 1975 | 54 | |
| 1976 | 55 | |
| 1977 | 56 | |
| 1978 | 57 | |
| 1979 | 58 | |
| 1980 | 59 | |
| 1981 | 60 | |
| 1982 | 61 | |
| 1983 | 62 | |
| 1984 | 63 | |
| 1985 | 64 | |
| 1986 | 65 | |
| 1987 | 66 | |
| 1988 | 67 | |
| 1989 | 68 | |
| 1990 | 69 | |
| 1991 | 70 | |
| 1992 | 71 | |
| 1993 | 72 | |
| 1994 | 73 | |
| 1995 | 74 | |
| 1996 | 75 | |
| 1997 | 76 | |
| 1998 | 77 | received the Congressional Gold Medal |
| 1999 | 78 | |
| 2000 | 79 | |
| 2001 | 80 | |
| 2002 | 81 | |
| 2003 | 82 | |
| 2004 | 83 | |
| 2005 | 84 | |
| 2006 | 85 | |
| 2007 | 86 | |
| 2008 | 87 | |
| 2009 | 88 | |
| 2010 | 89 | |
| 2011 | 90 | |
| 2012 | 91 | |
| 2013 | 92 | |
| 2014 | 93 | |
| 2015 | 94 | |
| 2016 | 95 | passed away |
