First space message joins U.S. archive

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WASHINGTON, March 21 (UPI) -- The first audio message transmitted from outer space will be preserved as part of the National Recording Registry, the U.S. Library of Congress said Thursday.

Relayed from the world's first communications satellite, SCORE, the audio recording of then-President Dwight Eisenhower conveying "America's wish for peace on Earth and goodwill toward men everywhere," was broadcast back to Earth Dec. 19, 1958.

The 30-second message, which could be received by shortwave radio sets on Earth as the satellite traveled around the globe, is one of 25 recordings selected by the Library of Congress for their cultural, artistic and historic importance in the history of the United States, SPACE.com reported.

"Congress created the [Registry] to celebrate the richness and variety of our audio heritage," James Billington, Librarian of Congress, said in a statement. "And to underscore our responsibility for long-term preservation, to assure that legacy can be appreciated and studied for generations."

The SCORE message with join other audio selections for 2012, including Simon and Garfunkel's "Sounds of Silence" and Chubby Checker's rendition of "The Twist" to bring the total number of recordings held in the registry to 375.