John Glenn dies at 95

Former senator and astronaut John Glenn.

(Image credit: ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP/Getty Images)

Former Ohio senator, astronaut, and aviator John Glenn died Thursday at the age of 95, The Columbus Dispatch reports. Glenn was hospitalized a week ago at the James Cancer Hospital at Ohio State University, although his specific condition was unknown and was not necessarily cancer.

Glenn achieved many "firsts" in his lifetime, including being the first American to orbit Earth, breaking the transcontinental flight speed record, and becoming the oldest person in space.

"John Glenn is, and always will be, Ohio's ultimate hometown hero, and his passing today is an occasion for all of us to grieve," Ohio Gov. John Kasich said. "As we bow our heads and share our grief with his beloved wife, Annie, we must also turn to the skies, to salute his remarkable journeys and his long years of service to our state and nation. Though he soared deep into space and to the heights of Capitol Hill, his heart never strayed from his steadfast Ohio roots. Godspeed, John Glenn!"

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Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.