March 16 in Local History

2026

• Exactly 100 years ago today, on March 16, 1926, Robert H. Goddard launched the world’s first successful liquid-fueled rocket in Auburn, Massachusetts. While the flight lasted only 2.5 seconds and reached an altitude of 41 feet (averaging 60 mph), it proved that liquid propulsion was viable. Without this 10-foot tall "Nell" rocket, the Apollo moon landings and modern satellite technology simply wouldn't exist.

  From the 2026-03-16 edition