50th Anniversary – Walk on the Moon

With this date, July 20, 2019, it marks the 50^th anniversary of man walking on the moon, back on July 20, 1969. With the first American being Neil Armstrong who after 6 hours of landing with Edwin ‘Buzz’ Aldrin in the separate lunar module ‘Eagle’ on the moon’s surface took the first steps on the moon at 10:56 pm. He was known for saying; “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”

After Armstrong was on the surface he was joined by Buzz Aldrin. This was where the US flag was planted on the Moon’s surface and photos taken. By 1:11 am of July 21^st the two astronauts returned to the lunar nodule.

This was one of those major historical events that everyone was ‘glued’ to their television sets to watch. It is estimated about 100 million American either watched on television the event or listened to the radio report as it happened. World wide it could have been 500 to 600 million people using television or radio.

For more details, the History.com site has more information. Have that information so you can then talk to some relatives and family friends who were part of the world-wide viewing of this major historical event. Get their reactions, who else was with them, where they were and did they view it or hear on the radio? Many people also kept the newspapers of the time to save as artifacts. See if relatives still have those papers.

Also if YOU were one there in July 1969 and did view the walking on the moon, do the same, write out your reaction and feelings. Who were you with and where?

This is a valuable 50^th anniversary family recollection that needs to be done. There will be many programs in July 2019 about this event, so watch those also.

Photos: Buzz Aldrin’s footprint on the moon; Flag on the moon, and walking on moon’s surface.

Related FamilyTree.com Blogs:

Slang of 1960s

Old Words are New Again

What Our Ancestors Had

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