Has it really been 30 years since since the most remarkable event of the 20th century occurred?
When astronaut Neil Armstrong uttered the words "That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind," while walking on the moon on July 20, 1969, he mesmerized the world and ushered in a new era of space exploration.What previously had been the strict purview of science fiction writers and visionaries -- setting foot on a celestial body other than the Earth --was now indeed a reality. That incredible scientific achievement by the United States buoyed America and the world. More than 100 world leaders sent their congratulations.
Through another miracle of the 20th century -- television -- much of civilization was able to watch as Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, dressed like Pillsbury doughboys, loped about the lunar surface.
As historian Arthur Schlesinger Jr. aptly noted while discussing the the top news stories of the 20th century, "The one thing for which this century will be remembered 500 years from now was: This was the century when we began the exploration of space." And landing and walking on the moon is clearly the crowning moment thus far of the space age.
While noted for its adventure, space exploration is also recognized for its danger, as evidenced by a number of fatalities over the years. One out of 36 people who launch into space die in a space-related accident.
Just two years prior to the Apollo 11 mission that put Armstrong and Aldrin on the lunar surface, three astronauts -- Gus Grissom, Ed White and Roger Chaffee -- died in what was a routine countdown test of the first Apollo capsule. An electrical short caused a fire in the pressurized atmosphere that was 100 percent oxygen. The three were killed instantly.
President Richard M. Nixon had a speech ready in case Armstrong and Aldrin were not able to get off the moon. The recently-discovered memo, penned two days before the landing, began thusly: "Fate has ordained that the men who went to the moon to explore in peace will stay on the moon to rest in peace."
As the nation and world marks this historic anniversary, it would be wise to remember more than just the physical event itself. While certainly impressive, what also needs to be recollected is the courage and the search for truth and knowledge that was connected with not only the Apollo 11 mission but with all space exploration.
The quest of the human spirit to reach past previously defined limitations was embodied by all involved with Apollo 11. And that is the legacy that needs to be preserved.