One small step 50 years ago continues to inspire humanity
- World should celebrate anniversary of Apollo 11 moon landing and legendary walk on lunar surface by Neil Armstrong because it was one of our greatest achievements
Apollo 11’s moon landing and American astronaut Neil Armstrong’s walk on the lunar surface 50 years ago must count as among humankind’s greatest achievements. The vision it inspired and the technologies developed are for the ages. Not only Americans but the world should celebrate together on this occasion.
This is also a time for reflection in a fractured world full of conflicts, hate and mistrust. Today, more countries are interested, and have developed the capabilities, to land on the moon, and to go beyond. They are driven by technological advancement as well as nationalistic pride.
The Apollo landing, too, was driven by rivalry, as it came 8 years after a brash young American president, John F. Kennedy, dared his citizens to reach for the moon at the height of the cold war with the Soviet Union. But when Armstrong took his small step on the surface of the moon, most of humanity cheered.