Today In History: First Moon Walk

One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.

-- Neil A. Armstrong

Apollo 11 was a crewed lunar mission that lasted eight days, beginning with its launch from the Kennedy Space Center on Merritt Island, Florida,  on July 16th, 1969, and concluding with splash down in the Pacific Ocean on July 24th.  July 20th, 1969 marked the first time in history that man walked on the Moon -- one of the greatest achievements in scientific research. Astronaut and mission commander Neil Alden Armstrong was the first to do so, followed by lunar module pilot Edwin (Buzz) Aldrin, shown in photograph above which was taken by Armstrong, who is reflected with the American flag in the helmet visor. Together during their walk on the Sea of Tranquility region, Armstrong and Aldrin collected 47 pounds of lunar material, while fellow astronaut Michael Collins, the command module pilot, stayed on board the Command and Service modules (known as Columbia) to orbit in space. These samples of lunar soil and rock would further human understanding of the solar system.

The first moon walk put the United States ahead of the Soviet Union in the Space Race, Cold War competition by the superpowers to demonstrate scientific innovation and technological superiority. Over a twenty year period that began in the 1950s, there were rapid developments in satellites, rockets, and manned spaceflights. The whole world, including Russia, tuned in to watch the monumental feat of engineering and human bravery, with people in awe and wonder; budding plans for future missions, manned and unmanned; and ultimately consideration of the potential for human expansion into Mars.

The following articles are drawn from Proquest Historical Newspapers, which informs and inspires classroom teaching and learning.

• Shain, P. (1969, Jul 10). Night Watch: Moon Walk Schedule Listed Step by Step.  Boston Globe (1960-) 
• Farrar, F. (1969, Jul 21). 'Giant Leap for Mankind: Armstrong Takes 1st Step on Moon. Chicago Tribune (1963-1996) 
• 'Squared Away and in Good Shape...': Transcript of Moon Walk: 'Yes, It's Very Comfortable'. (1969, Jul 21). The Washington Post, Times Herald (1959-1973) 
• Cohn, V.  (1969, Jul 21). Moon Walk Yields Data for Science: Big Variety of Rocks Found in First Inspection of Moon. The Washington Post, Times Herald (1959-1973) 
• Hines, W. (1969, Jul 22). Long Talks Preceded Decision on Moon Walk. The Washington Post, Times Herald (1959-1973) 
• 'Fantastic' Moon Walk Photos Take World on Lunar Tour: In Another World. (1969, Aug 01). Chicago Tribune (1963-1996) 
• Doup, L. (1989, Jul 02). Blast Off!: Festivities in Florida to Mark 20th Anniversary of First Moon Walk. Chicago Tribune (1963-1996) 
• Nagy, B.A. (1994, Jul 18). State Engineers Remember Moon Walk, 25 Years Later: Incomplete Source. The Hartford Courant (1923-) 
• Apollo 11 Crew Relives Launch of Pioneer Flight: 30 Years After Moon Walk, Armstrong, Aldrin, Others Celebrate 'One Small Step'. (1999, Jul 17). The Sun (1837-) 
• Salkever, A. (1999, Jul 20). Following in the Bootprints of a Moon Walk: Looking Back. The Christian Science Monitor (1908-) 

Tips:

• Apollo 11: Preliminary Science Report. Washington, D.C.: NASA, 1969. e-book.
• Apollo 11: 70-Mm Photographic Catalog. Greenbelt, MD: NASA, 1970. e-book.
• Floca, Brian. Moonshot : The Flight of Apollo 11. Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2009.  Curriculum ; TL789.8.U6 F56 2009.
• Thimmesh, Catherine. Team Moon : How 400,000 People Landed Apollo 11 on the Moon. Houghton Mifflin Co., 2006. Curriculum ; TL789.8.U6 A582546 2006.
• Turner, Myra Faye. The Story of Apollo 11 and the Men on the Moon 50 Years Later. 1st ed., Atlantic Publishing Group, 2018. e-book.

Images:

• Astronaut Edwin Aldrin Walks on Lunar Surface Near Leg of Lunar Module, Courtesy of NASA. ID: as11-40-5903.
• Moon Walk, Courtesy of Canva.

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