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July 19, 2025

National Moon Day: Celebrating the Giant Leap on July 20th


Moon Day


July 20th marks a milestone in human history: the day we first set foot on the Moon. National Moon Day - also recognized as Space Exploration Day - celebrates the monumental success of the Apollo 11 mission, when Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walked on the lunar surface in 1969.

It was a feat that not only stunned the world but also fulfilled President John F. Kennedy's audacious challenge to land a man on the Moon before the decade's end. More than 600 million people tuned in to watch the grainy black-and-white broadcast, hearing Armstrong's iconic words: "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."

But what you might not know is that the Apollo 11 mission was filled with close calls and curious facts that make the story even more incredible. For instance, when Armstrong manually landed the lunar module "Eagle," they were running dangerously low on fuel - less than 30 seconds worth - before touching down.

The pre-programmed landing site was strewn with boulders, forcing Armstrong to improvise and find a safer patch of ground. It was a high-stakes moment that could've gone south quickly.
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Once on the Moon, Armstrong and Aldrin spent only about 2.5 hours outside the lander, collecting 47.5 pounds of Moon rocks and placing scientific instruments. One of the most random facts? Buzz Aldrin took communion on the Moon shortly after landing, using a small kit provided by his church.

NASA kept it quiet at the time due to a lawsuit about religious activities in space, but it's now a well-documented footnote in lunar history.

The American flag planted on the Moon? It wasn't easy. The astronauts struggled to get it to stand upright in the rocky surface. And it wasn't a custom-designed piece of space equipment either - it was bought last-minute at a Sears store for $5.50.

Ironically, because it was too close to the lander, the flag was likely blown over by the exhaust when Apollo 11 blasted off to return home.

Then there's Michael Collins - the oft-forgotten third astronaut who orbited the Moon solo in the command module "Columbia" while his crewmates explored the surface. He never set foot on the Moon, but he was just as essential to the mission's success.

In fact, he later joked that he felt like the most "lonely man in history," circling the Moon's far side completely out of contact with both Earth and his team.

Apollo 11's success kicked off a string of missions that furthered our understanding of space. To date, 12 men have walked on the Moon - all between 1969 and 1972. No one's been back since. However, NASA's Artemis program and other international efforts hope to change that in the near future - with plans for women and diverse astronauts to step onto lunar soil.

National Moon Day isn't just a nod to the past - it's a reminder of how bold ambition, teamwork, and a little good fortune can push humanity into uncharted territory. So on July 20th, take a moment to look up. You're staring at a place we've actually been - and hopefully will visit again soon.