There is a significant number of events that are considered the most essential and valuable for the history of the United States. The list of these moments that shaped Americans’ lifetimes includes both positive and terrifying events because there is no such history that may be created only through good experiences. When asked about the most crucial moments of American history, people usually name the Orlando shooting, the fall of the Berlin Wall, president Barack Obama’s election, and the terror attacks on September 11, 2001. Among these events, the 1969 Moon landing is also referred to as an essential historical event. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the famous Apollo 11 Moon landing.
The reason for sending astronauts to the lunar surface was president Kennedy’s appeal that he made on May 25, 1961. He stated that America had to achieve its goal of “landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to Earth” (“1969 Moon landing,” 2019). On July 20, 1969, eight years after that speech, the U.S. astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin landed on the lunar surface and appeared to be the first people ever to do that. Moreover, approximately after six hours, Armstrong stepped out on the surface of the moon, and no one has ever done that before.
The preparation for this spectacular moment was not easy. An international group of engineers and scientists worked for five years to let NASA conduct the first unmanned Apollo mission, which was successful. However, on January 27, 1967, a fire broke out during a human launch-pad Apollo spacecraft testing (“1969 Moon landing,” 2019). Unfortunately, three astronauts died during that tragic incident, but this did not stop NASA from making America’s dream come true. There were several test Apollo spaceships until Apollo 11 became known for landing on the Moon (“1969 Moon landing,” 2019). It is interesting that after Aldrin and Armstrong planted the flag of the U.S. on the lunar surface, they received a telephone radio transmission call from President Nixon. He was excited and “considered it the most historic phone call ever made from the White House” (“1969 Moon landing,” 2019). Indeed, this event is so important that it will never be forgotten.
Reference
1969 Moon landing. (2019). History. Web.