John Glen, the first American astronaut to orbit the Earth and who served a long term as a U.S. Senator, becomes the oldest person (77) to make a voyage into outer space.

Elsewhere that year:

• President Clinton is embroiled in several scandals with sexual overtones. He agrees to pay $850,000 to settle a sexual harassment charge leveled against him by Paula Jones, and an administration employee, Kathleen Wiley, claims on television that the President made sexual advances on her. Former White House intern Monica Lewinsky testifies before a grand jury about her relationship with the President, who also testifies then admits publicly that his earlier denials misled the American public. The House of Representatives votes to impeach President Clinton for lying under oath and obstructing justice regarding his relationship with Lewinsky.

• The Supreme Court declares the line-item veto authority of the President unconstitutional.

• Independent candidate Jessie Ventura, once a professional wrestler known as “the Body”, shocks traditional politicians by winning the gubernatorial race in Minnesota.

• The FDA approves the use of Viagra, or sildenafil citrate, the first pill for male impotence. The drug enjoys huge sales and publicity.

• In the largest settlement in U.S. history, the tobacco industry reaches an agreement with 46 states (4 states settled individual suits previously) to pay more than $205 billion over 25 years in exchange for the states withdrawing lawsuits seeking damages for medical treatment of smokers. The industry also agrees to numerous marketing restrictions.