Steven Brown, Galt Museum Community Program Coordination Intern

This upcoming Thursday marks the 48th anniversary of the first astronaut to step foot on our neighbouring lunar surface. The Galt Museum & Archives Summer Family Fun program happens every Thursday in July and August. On Tuesday, July 18 for the Bottle Rockets program developed celebrate the landmark event of the first walk on the moon.

On July 20th, 1969, Neil Armstrong exited the Apollo 11 Lunar Module followed by Buzz Aldrin (the Lunar Module pilot) about 20 minutes later. They engaged in the first extravehicular activity (EVA) on the moon’s surface which only lasted a few hours-future missions to the lunar surface would incrementally increase their time on the surface.

Upon climbing down the Lunar Module ladder and taking his first step on the moon, Neil Armstrong spoke some of the most famous words of any NASA mission: “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” Interestingly, Armstrong had apparently only prepared these brief words just before exiting the Lunar Module. Furthermore, Armstrong had intended for there to be the indefinite article “a” before “man”, but had either forgotten to say it or it was cut out due to static interference. Although most people are familiar with Armstrong’s famous epigram, not many know of how Buzz Aldrin initially reacted with his first steps on the moon. Aldrin’s first words upon reaching the lunar surface were simply “Beautiful view”. Shortly after, Armstrong asked him “Isn’t it magnificent?” to which Aldrin replied “Magnificent desolation” – a slightly darker but still just as poetic and beautiful description. Since this first moon landing, only ten other people have walked on the moon's surface. This week, we should all remember and celebrate this incredible and monumental achievement we as a human race shared 48 years ago.

Enjoy and learn about history at the Summer Family Fun program and create your own bottle rocket. Admission fees apply. Admission is free to annual pass holders.