Emma Witmer
Greene Publishing, Inc.
While you may not have them off from work or printed on your refrigerator calendar, hundreds of national holidays exist; several take place each day! Many of these holidays were created in jest, and others honor lesser known historical figures and public servants. Whether World UFO Day (July 2), Middle Children's Day (August 12) or National Cream Filled Donut Day (September 14), you can find a unique way to celebrate each day.
July 20 is National Moon Day, in honor of the historic Apollo 11 Moon Landing. On July 20, 1969, the United States' Apollo Space Program successfully landed astronauts, Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins and Edwin Aldrin, Jr., on the moon. The success of the Apollo 11 mission had extreme international importance. The Apollo 11 mission was more than just a lofty goal for our nation, it symbolized America's Space Race victory over the USSR for Americans living during the Cold War era. Several days after the July 16 launch from Kennedy Space Center, the Apollo 11 lunar modular, nicknamed “The Eagle,” touched down on the surface of the moon. Commander Neil Armstrong radioed in, “The Eagle has landed.” When the crew finally climbed out of The Eagle, Neil Armstrong took the first human step on the moon and said some of the most famous words in American history: “That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” Celebrate this Moon Day by reminiscing on your memories of the moon landing, talking to others who were alive then or by watching the movie about the event, Apollo 11.