It was the Summer of '69...Part 2

As I began in Part 1 of this posting, the summer of 1969 was more than a little eventful. If only one of the events of the summer had occurred that year, it would have probably went down in the history books as very important. However, all four events of that summer did occur and each has left a last impact for one reason or another. I dissected and reexamined the Stonewall Riots in New York City that occurred on June 28, 1969. The impact of that can easily still be felt today. To continue my look at the summer of 1969, I turn to another major event just about three weeks later. Never had it been done. It was discussed and challenged for over close to ten years. When John F. Kennedy became president in 1961, he challenged us as a country to dare to believe and that involved daring to go to the moon. By the end of the decade, his dream and vision came true on July 20, 1969 when man finally went to the moon.

Man Lands on the Moon (July 20, 1969)

Leading up to July 16, 1969, the United States was among the leaders in science technology. Beginning in the late 1950s, though, the U.S. was not only dealing with the Soviet Union because of the Cold War, but also who would be the leader in space developments. After much work and previous space missions, the U.S. space program was prepared to finally attempt to send man to the moon. Apollo 11 would be the mission and it would man Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins as the individuals to make history. Over the next couple days, Apollo 11 would approach the moon and enter its orbit. After orbiting the moon, the crew had targeted a site to attempt to land as safely and smoothly as possible. On the 20th, the lunar module made its approach and Armstrong would utter the words "Engine arm is off. Houston, Transquility Base here. The Eagle has landed." And with that America had finally accomplished one of its greatest goals and made the summer that much more rememberable. Ironically, not mentioned too much in all this was the fact that the Soviet Union looked to upstage America during its crowning achievement. Luna 15 was the Soviets attempt to have the first mission return lunar soil to Earth, but they didn't surface until the 21st. However, the Soviets ability to take the backseat was a shifting in the Soviet-American approach and displayed cooperation was possible between both sides.

As the end of the 20th approached, Armstrong took the intitial steps with his left foot and uttered his "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind" as he became the first man to touch the moon. Buzz Aldrin then shortly joined him as the second man. As the astronauts were preparing to make their return to Earth, Buzz Aldrin uttered a statement that truly allows this event to be more than just one singular event, but something to build off of.

Aldrin told America:

"This has been far more than three men on a mission to the Moon; more, still, than the efforts of a government and industry team; more, even, than the efforts of one nation. We feel that this stands as a symbol of the insatiable curiosity of all mankind to explore the unknown ... Personally, in reflecting on the events of the past several days, a verse from Psalms comes to mind. 'When I consider the heavens, the work of Thy fingers, the Moon and the stars, which Thou hast ordained; What is man that Thou art mindful of him?'"

The crew would return on the 24th and send us back to work on what we could do next and where we could go.

That then leads us to today. In 1969, it seemed that we were lightyears (no pun intended) away from such a feat. We began space developments and scientific studies dealing with space with so much potential if wanted. Well, since then we have continued to push the limits...finding new discoveries that in 1969 would have been thought almost impossible. That coming after man went to the moon. Since that event, there have been many conspiracy theories if it truly happened. I cannot truly 100% deny these claims, but when it comes to space...we must believe in the impossible. During the 1960s, it seemed impossible. There are things now that might seem impossible, but are they? That is the type of mindset that we must ultimately take away from this historic event. When their are challenges, there are ways to overcome them. When there are dreams, there must be a want to achieve them. It has been 40 years, but the impact of man on the moon can still be felt. It truly allowed the U.S. to be willing to step up and go where no man had gone. That means, that we must continue to investigate space and determine where else man can go. But ulimately, what else might be out there for us to be the trailblazers like in 1969.

Forty years ago, the nation and the world stood still and was in awe. It inspired a generation to think about what could be. Often times, there are events or individuals that inspire young people to do things or go places they before had not considered. This event; similarly to way that President Obama got some individuals to care about politics more than they previously did; allowed for a generation of young scientists and explorers. We must have a similar calling today because much of what makes the world run come from science. That passion and involvement can lead to scientific innovations, space-related or not.

An article I found (click on bold title) lead me to delve deeper into the impact of science today. What stands in our way? These three things:

1)a lack of sustained funding for scientific research and technological innovation
2)a failure to spark the interest of young people in science, mathematics, and engineering
3)a failure to engage the public imagination in the glories and value of science.


I end with this:

If the current generation can be inspired and enabled to take up the innovation challenge, just as we were inspired 40 years ago, there are no boundaries to what can be achieved.

The challenge is there again, who will answer the call?