John Glenn, who died Thursday at age 95, was lauded as a hero of the American space program on Feb. 20, 1962, when he became the nation's first astronaut to orbit the earth. The accomplishment galvanized Americans and evened up the space race with the Soviets. In sometimes fanciful language, The Associated Press reported on the liftoff that took Glenn "towards his intended rendezvous with the stars." The AP is republishing excerpts of its original coverage….