40 Years ago today........... July 20th, 1969

[3fan4life]

Neil Armstrong stepped on to the surface of the moon and left the first human footprints ever on its surface.

Even though I wasn't quite six years old, I remember watching the TV coverage of the event.


However, I wasn't old enough to understand the significance of the event.


I'm wondering, what are your memories of mans first visit to the moon?

[FLAVALK]

I remember growing up in Huntsville Alabama where the Apollo moon rocket was designed and tested. I was 16 years old when we landed on the moon but can recall NASA testing the main engines several years prior. The test stand was several miles from our home but I still can remember that roar...what a sound!

I also recall watching the landing on TV, as most Americans did, while taking photos of the screen. I still have those images in a box inside my night stand by the bed.

Huntsville was a very big part of the space race and it was a very proud moment for everyone in town. I remember attending the hero's parade for Dr. Wernher von Braun at some point after Apollo 11

[Oss]

i remember being in bed with a 104 fever trying to watch the launch on our little black and white tv

by the time the landing took place a few days later I was able to sit in bed with my polaroid camera and took a few pics of the screen that actually came out !!

So I can prove they really were on the moon


I also remember when the 3 astronauts  grissom chafee and white I think died on the launchpad during the early apollo test   After that they changed the oxygen somehow in the capsules and there was a zip line for the astronauts to get out with while still on the pad

[Serk]

I wouldn't be born for another 2.5 years... But I still get teary eyed whenever I think about what we've accomplished...

...and incredibly sad when I realize it's been 40 years and we haven't built on our successes... We should have moon bases by now and a manned trip to Mars...

[ChromeDome]

I was 17 at the time and I remember watching the landing with the family ... awestruck. I think my Dad said something like yeah when Cronkite said "Wow!" Just thinking of that, of that time, still gives me goose bumps.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Goverment propaganda swallowed by the masses hook , line and sinker...Wag The Dog 

[..]

I was 16 years old sitting in the prep room (homework room) at boarding school. The Boss (Headmaster - Principal) stuck his head around the door and said "the Americans have landed on the moon - get on with your homework, no talking" .

We did and we didn't.

[Gilligan]

Navigator and I were stationed at Fort Campbell, KY.  We lived on base in Lee Village.  All of our friends were sittiing in the back of the building, outside our "apartment" watching our 12-inch black and white TV, eating popcorn and drinking beer.  Absolutely amazing event!

[BF]

I was fifteen sittin' on the couch watching it with the parental units.  Ya know?  Those as old as I am, have lived through some amazing times.   

[Doc Moose]

Watched on the tube at a friends house, amazing stuff.  Really pumped you up during some tumultuous times.  I also remember my mother getting emotional about it, getting teary eyed.

I thought it was humorous that many folks then went outside to stare at the moon in wonder (like they'd see something going on, on the moon?)     

[R J]

I was 36 years old, and on duty.

6 CHP cars were parked outside the Dragon Restaurant, in LA - (China Town), we were watching it on TV and eating popcorn.  Listening for our Famous Motorola's to sound off with a trip.....

Yeah, it was mine and I was 90 miles away.............  Yeah, I got my butt trimmed for that..   I was 45 miles outside of my assigned area........  A County Officer covered for me......

[FLAVALK]

Goverment propaganda swallowed by the masses hook , line and sinker...Wag The Dog 

Joe, are you insinuating that you might be a member of the "Flat Earth Society"? I knew some folks that actually believed that man never landed on the moon, that it was all staged.....but not in the past 30 years. Holy cow!

Say you're kidding..

[Duckwheat]

Age 15 camping outside of Pagosa Springs, Colorado with my parents. Listened to it on the radio, while looking at the moon.

DW

[Doc Moose]

Mythbusters are doing a show that debunks the debunkers that claim the moon landing, etc was faked.  Hmmm, who ya gonna call?

[thumper]

Goverment propaganda swallowed by the masses hook , line and sinker...Wag The Dog 

Yea.....what he said!!!!!

[Jess from VA]

I was also 16YO, and remember it well because the night of the landing, all of us employed as pump jockeys and mechanics at a Mobil gas station had to come in that evening and completely empty the two bay service area, clean and paint the interior, and put everything back.  We worked all night until sunnup, and the boss was good enought to load the ice machine with cases of Bud, so all us underage pump jockys got pretty loaded.  We took breaks watching the landing on a little portable B & W TV. 

Ten hour shift at $1.50 per hour; made $15 that night.   

[Bob E.]

Since I wasn't born until 1971, I can barely remember it...