National Moon Day

National Moon Day History

National Moon Day commemorates the historic Apollo 11 moon landing in 1969. Recognized primarily in the United States, the day pays tribute to the first time humans set foot on the moon's surface - an unprecedented achievement that symbolizes mankind's inherent capacity for exploration and innovation.

The origin of National Moon Day dates back to July 20, 1969, when astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin of NASA's Apollo 11 mission made a triumphant "giant leap for mankind." The significance of the Apollo 11 mission extends beyond being the first manned mission to land on the moon. It was a testament to human ingenuity, determination, and courage, inspiring a new age of exploration and understanding of both our planet and the cosmos beyond.

National Moon Day stands as a lasting tribute to this monumental feat, promoting a continued spirit of discovery and inspiring future generations to pursue scientific endeavors. It is an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of the past while looking forward to the possibilities the future holds. National Moon Day is celebrated annually on July 20th.

National Moon Day facts

• The effort to send astronauts to the moon began when President John F. Kennedy said to congress on May 25, 1961: I believe this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to Earth.
• 600 million people around the world watched as Neil Armstrong became the first man to step foot on the moon.
• Nicknamed the genesis rock, the chunk of anorthosite rock brought back by an Apollo 15 astronaut from the moon was found to be about 4.5 billion years old.
• Trips to the moon have returned with NASA’s latest plan, the Artemis program. Announced in 2020, NASA plans to once again land humans on the moon by 2024. Their goal this time is to establish a base to test space technologies. The base will also serve as a way station to Mars.

In the News and Trending for National Moon Day

Top things to do for National Moon Day

• Visit your local planetarium. Using the telescopes there, you can view the cosmos and the world beyond Earth.
• Learn more about NASA's Artemis program. NASA's return to the moon will use innovative technologies to help explore more of the lunar surface than ever before.
• Watch a movie about the mission to the moon. Here are our suggestions:
  Apollo 11 (2019)
  First Man (2018)
  Hidden Figures (2016)