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Former Astronaut Re-Enacts Apollo 8 Broadcast At MSI

CHICAGO (CBS) -- A special moment in space exploration, was re-visited this morning in Chicago.

Apollo 8 astronaut James Lovell helped re-enact the famous Christmas Eve broadcast as the capsule orbited the moon in 1968, reports WBBM's Nancy Harty.

Former Astronaut Re-Enacts Apollo 8 Broadcast At MSI

Standing in front of the original Apollo 8 command module, at the Museum of Science and Industry, Captain Jim Lovell read part of the Book of Genesis as he and his fellow astronauts did so famously as they orbited the moon on Christmas Eve 45 years ago.

He explains the genesis of the reading Genesis came about after the crew turned to a newspaper reporter for something inspirational to say to the world.

Lovell says that man was struggling until his wife told him the answer was simple.

"Recite the first 10 verses of Genesis, which is the foundation of most of the world's religions, so that is exactly what we did," said Lovell.

Lovell says it was important to bring calm to a turbulent earth in 1968 and he wishes to this day that he could take world leaders in turmoil into space so they could see how important it is that we get along.

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