Final answer:
The flight of Friendship 7 was a historic milestone in the space race, marking a significant American achievement as John Glenn orbited Earth, restoring national pride during the Cold War.
Step-by-step explanation:
The excitement for the flight of Friendship 7 was due to it being a historic achievement in space exploration. On February 20, 1962, John Glenn's successful orbit around the Earth represented a critical milestone in the space race during a time when Soviet Union accolades in space were overshadowing American efforts. This was the United States' response to the Soviet Union's previous successes, such as launching the first artificial satellite, Sputnik, and sending the first human, Yuri Gagarin, into orbit. The space race was more than just technological competition; it was also a symbol of national pride and the ideological battle between communism and democracy during the Cold War.