Happy National Moon Day! On July 20, this commemorates the day man first walked on the moon in 1969. NASA reported the moon landing as being “…the single greatest technological achievement of all time.”
On July 20, 1969, Apollo 11 carried the first humans to the moon. Six hours after landing on the moon, American Neil Armstrong stepped onto the lunar surface.
He spent two and a half hours outside the spacecraft. Buzz Aldrin soon followed, stepping onto the lunar surface. After joining Armstrong, the two men collected 47.5 pounds of lunar material. Their specimens would make the journey back to Earth to be analyzed.
In the command module, a third astronaut waited. Pilot, Michael Collins, remained alone in orbit until Armstrong and Aldrin returned.
Caught up in the thrill of the adventure, millions of Americans watched the mission from Earth. Televisions around the world tuned in to the live broadcasts.
The astronauts had a world-wide audience. As a result, all witnessed as Armstrong stepped onto the moon’s surface and described the event as “one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind.”
Unquestionably, putting men on the moon became a tangible achievement in the space race. It placed the United States in a role to go forth and explore into the deeper reaches of the universe, too.
In the months and decades that followed, NASA and the Soviets stepped up their missions.
The day doesn’t just celebrate the landmark mission. It also celebrates future missions. Private expeditions are taking humans further into space.
Armstrong’s “one small step for man” inspired imaginations and sparked innovation, too, for generations to come. Even future moon missions are planned including manned landings.
HOW TO OBSERVE
National Moon Day opens up lots of opportunities to explore and reminisce! Share your memories of the moon landing. Set up your telescope and explore the moon’s surface.
You can even explore the surface with a telephoto lens. As you rediscover the moon, start a discussion about space exploration. How does it impact our world today? Study the plans for future moon landings as well.
What are your thoughts on more moon exploration?
While you’re celebrating, discover the people behind the moon landing. Share their stories and celebrate their achievements, too.
You can also celebrate the day by reading books or watching documentaries about the Apollo 11 mission or those leading up to it:
• In the Shadow of the Moon (2007) directed by David Sington
• First to the Moon: The Journey of Apollo 8 (2018) directed by Paul J. Hildebrant
• A Man on the Moon: The Voyages of the Apollo Astronauts (1994) by Andrew Chaikin
• One Giant Leap: The Impossible Mission That Flew Us to the Moon (2019) by Charles Fishman
• Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Who Helped Win the Space Race (2016) by Margo Lee Shetterly
Share your discoveries and stories using #NationalMoonDay on social media.
HISTORY
In 1971, 37th U.S. President Richard Nixon proclaimed National Moon Landing Day on July 20 to honor the anniversary of man’s first moon landing. However, no continuing resolution followed.
Enter Richard Christmas. He took up the baton by launching a "Christmas Card" writing campaign.
The Michigan native wrote to governors and members of the U.S. Congress in all fifty states urging them to create National Moon Day. He achieved some success as well.
By July of 1975, twelve states sponsored bills observing Moon Day.
Another modern-day supporter of National Moon Day is British astronomer author, speaker and consultant James J. Mullaney. He knows a few things about the moon, too.
As a former Curator of Exhibits and Astronomy at Pittsburgh’s original Buhl Planetarium, Mullaney is on a mission.
He says, “If there’s a Columbus Day on the calendar, there certainly should be a Moon Day!”
His goal is a federally recognized holiday.
In 2019, 45th U.S. President Donald Trump proclaimed July 20th as the 50th Anniversary Observance of the Apollo 11 Lunar Landing. However, no National Moon Day has been declared.
Explore other out of this world celebrations:
If you suffer from selenophobia, please feel free to skip this random holiday.
#NationalMoonDay
@NASA
@congressdotgov
@MoonPie
@GoogleDoodles
@nichecinema
No comments:
Post a Comment