Moon Day commemorates the day man first walked on the moon in 1969.

On July 20, 1969, Apollo 11 landed the first humans, Americans Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, on the moon.  Armstrong stepped first onto the lunar surface, six hours after landing and spent two and a half hours outside the spacecraft.  Aldrin spent slightly less time but together they collected 47.5 pounds of lunar material to bring back to Earth.  Michael Collins piloted Apollo 11 and remained alone in orbit until Armstrong and Aldrin returned.

Apollo 11 was launched from Cape Kennedy Space Center atop a huge Saturn V rocket. The Lunar Module, nicknamed the “Eagle”, touched down on the surface of the moon at Tranquility Base. Upon landing, Apollo 11 Commander Neil Armstrong reported “The Eagle Has Landed”.

A few hours later, watched by millions, the event was broadcast on live TV to a world-wide audience, and all witnessed as Armstrong stepped onto the lunar surface and described the event as “one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind.”

Enjoy Moon Day re-living this historic day. Watch a movie on space or read a book on space flight. We suggest the movie ” Apollo 13″. Or take a walk around the lake here at Kitterman and admire the beautiful moon tonight.