August 13, 1960: Rocket Ship Record and The Congo

Newspapers reported on August 13, 1960 that Major Robert M. White had successfully piloted an X-15 rocket ship to 136,500 feet, the highest altitude achieved by man in this, the fourth year of the space age.

In Leopoldville, the capital of the Congo, Premier Patrice Lumumba criticized United Nations Secretary General Dag Hammarskjold for using white troops to stop fighting in the Katanga province. The Congo declared its independence from Belgium on June 29 and has faced tibal violence since. Lumumba asked the UN to intervene.