Back on December 24, 1968 the crew of the Apollo 8 space mission were to make history for two things: they were the first human beings to circle another celestial body in space and they were also to take one of the most iconic pictures of the Earth rising behind the Moon on Christmas Eve which can be seen here:
The First Earthrise: Here you’ll hear them wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and Peace to everyone :) WORTH CHECK IT OUT I assure you:

=> http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1813626064?bctid=5666817001 :D
LOVELY MESSAGE...I wasn't born yet :| This is AMAZING EARING THESE GUYS :o I LOVE IT :)

earth-rise
=>For the first time forty years ago yesterday, humans saw their first Earthrise. BBC has the story:
"… on Christmas Eve 1968, none of the astronauts on board Apollo 8 were ready for the opportunity to witness their own Earthrise.
In all the months of training and preparation which had preceded the mission, no-one had thought to schedule an attempt for the crew to glimpse and record the most moving of sights, as their jewel of a home planet, suspended in the blackness of space, rose from behind the barren lunar horizon.
… as Apollo 8 nosed its way back from the far side of the Moon for the fourth time, it was Frank Borman who first spotted the view by chance from a window, his reaction captured by the on board tape recorder:

"Oh, my God! Look at that picture over there!" he exclaimed. "Isn’t that something…"

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"....Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and any other holidays out there! Have a Happy New Year! " :D

=> LINK: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7797439.stm

THANK YOU DEAR ASTRONAUTS :D LUV'U ;)

Hope you enjoy this post, link and photos as much as I like :)
HUGS2U :wave:
xx