Moon Landing

It is hard to believe that it has been fifty years since Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the Moon on July 20, 1969. Many of us have vivid memories of where we were and how we felt watching the event. We heard Neil Armstrong utter the now famous words, “That’s one small step for man-one giant leap for mankind” and we knew that our world had changed forever. 

Eight years earlier, President John F. Kennedy threw down the gauntlet in an address to Congress when he said, “I believe that this Nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to earth.” The United States needed to take this bold step because the Russians were accelerating their space program and America had to keep pace.  The “Cold War” had begun to simmer, which is why President Kennedy set space exploration as one of his top priorities. 

Although he would never live to see a man walk on the moon, President Kennedy’s goal was achieved as he predicted, “before this decade is out” on July 20, 1969. The ambitious program required the backing of the nation. Congress was asked to appropriate an unprecedented amount of money. Kennedy explained: “it will not be one man going to the moon--if we make this judgment affirmatively, it will be an entire nation. For all of us must work to put him there.” 

The Congress backed the plan and the adventure began. Ironically, the mission was achieved during the presidency of Kennedy’s rival, Richard M. Nixon. There is a plaque on the moon to commemorate the landing. It says: "Here men from the planet Earth first set foot upon the Moon July 1969, A.D. We came in peace for all mankind."

The Western Heritage Museum is commemorating this historic anniversary in a couple of ways. We are showing four films about the United States Space Programs every Sunday at 2 pm: The Right Stuff,July 14; Apollo 13, July 21; First Man, July 28; and October Sky,August 4. Our Second Annual Chalk Art Contest will be held on Saturday, July 20^thand the theme is “To the Moon and Beyond.” Please join us!

For more information visit the National Archives website,https://www.archives.gov, where you will find pictures and articles.