This was a day like no other. The entire world watched as Neil Armstrong became the first man to set foot on the moon followed by Buzz Aldrin while Michael Collins circled above in the command capsule. It was as Armstrong said so immortally, “One small step for man. One giant leap for mankind.”
Today’s blog post is not about my observations of an amusing absurdist world. Or maybe it is. When President Kennedy vowed to put a man on the moon by the end of the decade the naysayers thought the president crazy placing him in good company with Galileo, Newton, Columbus and all of the other visionaries who are remembered for great achievements. Who remembers the naysayers? No one. Just as it should be.
As I write this it is becoming clear that Apollo 11 accomplishment 50 years ago is not only about that historic landing, nor is it only about the three men who have become national treasures. It is in fact about the amazing things that we have achieved throughtout history.
Whereas before books had been available only in monasteries and the royal class movable type brought books to the masses leading to a more educated public, which in turn making other leaps forward possible. The hot air balloon became the first step forward in air travel, followed by the Wright Brothers Wilbur and Orville making the incredible flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Charles Lindburgh would later pilot the Spirit of St. Louis across the ocean in the first Trans-Atlantic flight . Alan Sheppard later became the first American in space, John Glenn soon after becoming the first man to orbit the moon. The list of the impossible becoming possible go on and on. While it is inarguably true that the Moon landing was indeed one giant leap for mankind, there have been a lot of them along the way.
Celebrate the 50 year anniversary of the Moon landing, they deserve it, and then to tomorrow let’s get back to work. Lesrn ftom those men faced the future each and everyday, and then do the same. Keep dreaming those big impossible dreams, then make them come true. It’s who we are and what we do. And why not? We are Americans. 🇺🇸
A Fifth of Brian 