ideas about science and the cosmos
Journey to the Moon
The latest offering from Symphony of Science this time focuses on the moon landing. Hopefully it’ll let you take a moment to grasp how significant it is seeing humanity land on another world. You often hear the famous quote “One small step..”, but I find it’s easy to overlook just how far reaching its significance is.
“In some way when those two Americans stepped on the Moon, the people of this world were brought closer together. That it is that spirit, the spirit of Apollo, which America can now help to bring to our relations with other nations. The spirit of Apollo transcends geographical barriers and political differences. It can bring the people of the world together in peace.”
-Richard Nixon
“Shortly after stepping onto the Moon, astronauts Armstrong and Aldrin spoke with President Nixon by phone, in what the President described as “the most historic phone call ever made from the White House.”
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about 1 year ago
Have you ever read the speech that was prepared had the Moon landing gone bad? I thought it was pretty excellent, though obviously glad it wasn’t needed.
“Fate has ordained that the men who went to the moon to explore in peace will stay on the moon to rest in peace.
These brave men, Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin, know that there is no hope for their recovery. But they also know that there is hope for mankind in their sacrifice.
These two men are laying down their lives in mankind’s most noble goal: the search for truth and understanding.
They will be mourned by their families and friends; they will be mourned by their nation; they will be mourned by the people of the world; they will be mourned by a Mother Earth that dared send two of her sons into the unknown.
In their exploration, they stirred the people of the world to feel as one; in their sacrifice, they bind more tightly the brotherhood of man.
In ancient days, men looked at stars and saw their heroes in the constellations. In modern times, we do much the same, but our heroes are epic men of flesh and blood.
Others will follow, and surely find their way home. Man’s search will not be denied. But these men were the first, and they will remain the foremost in our hearts.
For every human being who looks up at the moon in the nights to come will know that there is some corner of another world that is forever mankind. “
about 1 year ago
Interesting, I never knew that there was a prepared speech in case they were never able to make it home.