Digital Extra: The Journal's 175th Anniversary

07.21.2004

On your mark, get set: The race into space

On Oct. 4, 1957, the world changed forever.

The Soviet Union launched Sputnik I, the first artificial satellite. It marked the beginning of the Space Age. It was the starting line for the race that would land Americans on the moon in 1969. And it added a new level of paranoia to the Cold War.

But Rhode Islanders' first reactions to Sputnik revolving around the Earth was one of gleeful enthusiasm.

The Providence Journal reported the next day that its shortwave radio equipment had picked up "the satellite's characteristic signal -- a pulsing 'beep,' " as did amateur radio operators throughout the state.

A Brown University astronomer vainly searched the skies, hoping to catching a glimpse of the passing satellite.

Three days later, though, The Journal's first editorial on the subject was more sober, observing that the Soviets could now probably reach the United States with missiles carrying nuclear bombs.

The same day the editorial ran, West Warwick's civil defense director quit. "The recent launching of the Russian satellite that is circling the world is, in my opinion, going to cause many changes in civil defense operations," said Lionel Gareau.