Pluto was discovered February 18, 1930 by Clyde W. Tombaugh. Originally classified as a planet, it lost that status and was re-classified as a dwarf planet September 13, 2006. New Horizons is the first Earthly spacecraft with a mission of reaching Pluto. You can learn more about Pluto from this NASA website or this Wikipedia Page.
The New Horizons spacecraft was launched January 19, 2006 aboard a Lockheed Martin Atlas V 551 rocket (pictured above). It will have traveled over 2.96 billion miles and reach speeds of over 31.000mph before its closest approach of Pluto. On the journey it will have set many records including being the fastest spacecraft to ever leave Earth's orbit. You can get the latest news about the New Horizons spacecraft from the official New Horizons website and NASA's website. Further information can be found from this Wikipedia page.
New Horizons' closest approach to Pluto will be at 6:49:57 a.m. CDT (11:49:57 UTC) on July 14, 2015.
In honor of this momentous occasion, I'm holding an event! We will gather at the top of the hill in Eldridge Park (at the posted coordinates).
July 14, 2015
6:30am - 7:15am
Picture at 6:49:57am
This will be a themed event. Please wear or bring any fun Space, Pluto or New Horizons clothing or memorabillia. I'll bring the Tang!