Remembering the Moon Walk

Fifty years ago today, July 20, 1969, the summer before my 13th birthday, my mother allowed our black & white television in the kitchen so we could watch the mission during dinner. A TV in the kitchen during meals NEVER happened before or since.

Buzz Aldrin on the moon photographed by Neil Armstrong who is reflected in the visor*

In watching a variety of films and television programs marking this milestone, I was struck by the comments of Mike Collins (Columbia command module pilot) when he was asked about their experience of the round-the-world tour after their return. He said that everywhere the astronauts went, they were greeted with cheers not of "you did it" but "we did it"! It was an achievement recognized as one for all humanity, not just Americans.

*Read the full description of the original image here.