Moon Luck by Wayne Scott Harral is a clever display of writing and trope use, but it would never have been conceived without the Apollo 11 Moon Landing.
Huffing inside heavy space suits, a comically large box full of oxygen on their backs, the first two humans who went beyond the limits of Earth’s gravity and stepped on the moon were Neil Armstrong and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin. This was on July 20, 1969.
One of the most famous quotes to have come out of that day and from the 20th century would have to be Armstrong’s proclamation: “That’s one small step for a man, [and] one giant leap for mankind.” He spoke these immortal words as he stepped off the Apollo 11 lander and onto the surface of the moon, watched by millions of pairs of eyes glued to their television, eager to keep to memory the most enchanting moment in history.
Before this momentous event in human history ever happened, it would have been something that was only limited to science fiction and flights of fancy. Yet, it happened. Despite what some conspiracy theorists might say, there is overwhelming evidence that the Apollo 11 Mission is real and was a resounding success.
There is no doubt that the moon landing was a monumental achievement. One that still has yet to be surpassed (though NASA is now planning on sending people back to the moon again in the near future). Whatever you may imagine how it happened, whether or not it actually did, you can never deny the socio-political impact it had on the world.
When the Apollo 11 team returned to Earth in 1969, it was undoubtedly the height of the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union–but in spite of the threat of another global war, the two superpowers had accomplished several feats in the sciences and the arts; the moon landing was simply the proverbial icing on the top of it all. Looking back at everything that happened since then, it is obvious that the moon landing has become more than just a political ploy or a profound culmination of science and engineering. The moon landing was a clear reminder that if there was a will, anything and everything was possible.
The Timeline
As the world becomes ever more united, ever more advanced, and more progressive, it is important to take a look back and examine which moments led to things as they are now. The moon landing is undeniably one of them. Here is a brief timeline of what happened:
- 1961, April 12 – Yuri Gagarin becomes the first human to reach space. This was one of the greatest achievements during the so-called “space race,” when the United States and the Soviet Union, as part of the larger Cold War, competed for scientific attainments in the fields of space exploration and astronomy. This comes after the Soviet Union launched Laika the dog into space, making her the first living animal into space.
- 1961, May 25 – United States President John F. Kennedy calls for a manned trip to the surface of the moon in front of a joint session of Congress.
- 1962, September 12 – President JFK affirms his commitment to the American people of placing a man on the moon before the decade ends.
- 1969, July 16 – A million individuals, including former US President Lyndon B. Johnson, come to Cape Canaveral to watch the lift-off of the Saturn V rocket carrying the Apollo 11 astronauts Neil A. Armstrong, Michael Collins, and Edwin E. Aldrin Jr.
- 1969, July 20 – The moon landing takes place with an estimated 650 million people watching from their televisions.
- 1969, July 24 – The Apollo 11 team splashes down in Hawaii, returning back home to Earth from space safely and soundly.
If you’re looking for a fascinating tale taking place on the surface of the moon that stars an astronaut, Moon Luck, by Wayne Scott Harral, is highly recommended.
