The TIME Vault

March 3, 1923

The First Issue

TIME

American soldiers go ashore during the Normandy landings.

Universal History Archive / Getty Images

When Allied troops arrived for the WWII invasion of Normandy, TIME gave the story the most in-depth treatment possible.

"Battleships, cruisers, destroyers stood off the coast, wrapped themselves in smoke screens and hurled steel from 640 guns. They arrived in two divisions. On the east they were British and Canadian vessels under the command of Rear Admiral Sir Philip Vian. On the west they were U.S., under the command of Rear Admiral Alan G. Kirk," TIME reported. "Never before, not at Tarawa or Kwajalein or Salerno, had a target been subjected to such overwhelming bombardment from air and sea."

Universal History Archive / Getty Images

March 26, 1965

The First Spacewalk

Central Press / Getty Images

Charles Lindbergh in the cockpit of a plane.

New York Daily News Archive / Getty Images

The First Person of the Year

Charles Lindbergh was chosen for 1927, after his aeronautic achievements gripped the world. "Grumblers wondered if interest accruing to the national welfare by his flights is worth the calamitous crash of principal which would accompany his death," the story noted. "Col. Lindbergh is the most cherished citizen since Theodore Roosevelt. Thought they: 'He is worth keeping.' One way to keep him is to keep him on the ground. Others argued savagely that Lindbergh must fly for his life in the public eye; heroes age swiftly when seated at office desks; argued that by his very nature he must fly. "

New York Daily News Archive / Getty Images

Jan. 5, 1953