Here’s Where They Were:

John Isaac
I was in Olena Florida at Boy Scout Cam Baden Powell watching the landing with Troop 35 and other Scouts from other Troops. Would love to hear if anyone else out there was there with me and my friends – Jeff Day and Danny Robbins.

Oscar Jiang
Unfortunately, I wasn’t alive when Apollo 11 landed on the moon. However, I really wish I was alive to see one of the most famous events in history happening.

Dharshu
I wasn’t there. But my father was 2 yrs. old.

Martin Vonnegut
I was at the Cape. We launched a communication satellite the next day. The satellite Intelsat 2F2 supplied the communication between Apollo 11 and Houston. It supplied not only the pictures and data but was beamed around the world to one billion people. As I mentioned to Buzz not many of us left who participated in Apollo 11.

Sarma Pisapati
I was 19 years old and was a senior undergrad student in Jawahar Bharathi Kavali, India. I and my best friend Vedam spent tons of hours listening to the Voice of America live broadcast. We were almost sleepless for a couple of days for the historic moment to occur!! I collected several pictures from the newspapers, magazines, etc. for sharing memories for the next generations!!! I also participated at the 50th anniversary in Washington DC National Mall along with my son and daughter.

Brian Jefferson
North East England – I was 8 years old and had watched the live feeds on tv on the evening, however my parents were kind enough to wake me at 2am for the final descent. The next day I went to my Grandfather’s house and he had been out and bought all the different newspapers depicting the historic event and gave them to me. He was American and was very proud of what had been achieved and instilled in me a lifelong affinity with space.

Pierre Simonin
When I was 5, my mum called me and said,”son come here now, you are going to see something” I was then in Biches, a little village in the centre of France. Imagine 10 persons around the only B&W TV. My two grandfathers, ex WW1 soldiers were there too. Everyone remained silent. as if something unreal was happening live, in front of their eyes. I am now 55, and to me, this event will never grow old. Best. Pierre.

Alex Rehkopf
On the moon

Stephen. Costello
I had just turned 6 years of age and even though my school from Chelsea, Melbourne Australia was going to watch it ,, my mum and dad decided that the family would gather together in the lounge room with the open fire and celebrate one of the most important day’s of our lives . Never ever will I forget that day in history. Thank you, to all the men and women that keep the dream alive. Stephen.Costello.

Francine Belanger
I was 10 years old and I was living in Montréal, Canada. My parents allowed me to stay up late that night. I remember that as if it was yesterday. So, I attended the EVA on television. I am one of the millions of others who have seen and admired you.

One of my uncles who was a journalist at the Montreal newspaper La Presse followed the whole event and wrote a notebook explaining your entire mission, the Saturn V rocket, which you were Mr. Armstrong, Mr. Collins and you, Mr. Aldrin. I was fascinated by the three men who traveled to the moon. And despite all this time, I still am. I consider myself very lucky to have lived this part of History.

Mary Louise Harris
I was 11 years old and had just finished my tap-dancing recital. It was on T.V. and my grandmother was crying when Neil Armstrong just put his two feet on the moon. She said her father would have loved to see this if he were alive. He wanted to live long enough to see man land on the moon.

Luke Stevens
Sadly, I was still not born, I was a spermatozoa and ova that had not yet met. I cannot imagine the feeling of seeing live of television, though the experience would doubtlessly have blown me away. Dr Aldrin, you are one of three true heroes of mine, the others being Roald Dahl and Benjamin Franklin. You did an amazing thing just leaving the Earth, however taking Communion on the Moon, that was outstanding. A real man stands by his beliefs, no matter what. I respect you for that. Written from Perth, Australia, the city John Glenn called the city of light. Everybody put sheets over their close lines with lights underneath, lit up fires and used their brightest lights wherever they could just to show him that we were watching and respecting his grand achievement. But that’s how we Perthicans roll. Kind regards, Luke Stevens

Wendy Stokes
I was born at 12.20 a.m. (GMT) on the morning of the Moonwalk. I was a couple of hours old for the actual walk. I spent my 50th birthday (and the whole month of July) celebrating the anniversary. I travelled to Kennedy Space Centre this year to see the Saturn V and feel even closer to the whole experience.

Daniel Larrabee
On the moon.

David Whiting
I was 13 years old in 1969 and in elementary school in Massachusetts when Apollo 11 landed on the moon. I had the famous poster of the three astronauts on my bedroom wall and cherished their achievement. Back then I built some model kits of the spacecraft and lunar module of which I liked the monogram models the best due to the detail.My dad and mom took me to Florida to see a later Apollo rocket on the launch pad and I got to go on a bus tour in the evening at Cape Canaveral, this was great!!!I hope to see the command module in Seattle, at the flight museum, one weekend, this month. Such great memories of such a great mission.

Holley Wood
I was 12 years old and was in an unfamiliar place as well – my family, a mid-South transplant, had just moved to Minnesota. My little brother was yet to be born, missing the first moon landing by 5 months, but I watched it in our living room. I remember my father calling me and telling me that the landing was taking place, and one of the pictures that will be forever in my mind is the astronauts descending the ladder and hearing “That’s one small step for man, one…giant leap for mankind.” 50 years later, I’m the coordinator of a small planetarium and have tried to convey to all the visitors the excitement of that moment, the Apollo program, and space exploration, past, present, and future!

Larry Hickmott
I was in Carnarvon where my father was working at the tracking station for the Apollo missions since 1965 …. Am very proud he was part of such a massive event in the history of this world…

Linda Antoszewski
I was 11 years old…I and my parents were in a car coming back home from a horse racing track in Chicago (the good old days) and my dad won so he said he was treating us to a white castle hamburger, Sliders yum!! We went in the restaurant and a black and white portable TV was on cause everyone was excited to see what was happening with the moon landing…and there it was …Neil Armstrong ready to land walk on the moon when I heard One small step for man one giant leap for mankind! After all these years Buzz I would have liked to hear you say Second man’s step for man and second man’s leap for joy! (Glad they had 15 seconds of fuel left!) Love you Buzz!! and God Bless you! and yours and mankind!

Ruben Erazo
In Bogota – Colombia. I was one year and a half and only remember sitting down in front of a black and white TV set watching images I couldn’t understand surrounded by several people.

Appollo
I was born this day

Steven Moland
I was 1 and a half yrs. old and I was told I was sitting on my mom’s lap and just staring at the TV because everyone else was. Wish I remembered it but at least I know I saw it and was alive for that most important moment in human history. God speed to all of the astronauts that were a part of NASA and other counties space programs.

Michael W. Michelsen, Jr.
I was at my grandparent’s home in Kansas City, Mo. As luck would have it, the television they had went out before the broadcast. Fortunately, we were able to rent another one before the landing. My grandparents had a fireplace in their home, and despite it being a hot summer day my brother and I wanted a fire burning during the broadcast. We lit the fire, but since the flu was closed, the house filled with smoke, Fortunately, we got the smoke cleared out before the broadcast. Everything was so unforgettable.

Andrés Isasmendi
Hello Mr. Aldrin: I am from BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA. I was 4 years old and the images of the arrival of APOLLO XI to the MOON were recorded forever in my memory. They also marked my childhood as a fan of everything related to NASA and its APOLLO missions to the MOON and the VIKING Program to MARS. Receive from this fan a huge greeting on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the Feat.

John Thomson
Hello everyone, I was 8 years old in the South Island of New Zealand, and was sitting on the mat at my local primary school, listening to the radio. Hands folded, sitting up straight and waiting with so much excitement and anticipation. On this truly wonderful world event, how cool were Mr. Aldrin and Mr. Armstrong you are both true heroes to every boy of that generation and today. I remember seeing the Omega Speedmaster Moon watch worn by the astronauts and thinking wow I would love one, what an iconic timepiece. To celebrate such history Well luckily while living in Australia 20 years ago I managed to purchase one, a manual wind, and it reminds me often of that momentous occasion. I went home and watched it on my black and white television with my parents. My thanks to Mr. Aldrin and Mr. Armstrong, today for implementing a day in all our lives, that day will be forever one which bought everyone in our world closer together for all mankind. Warmest regards from John Thomson, South Island and from the South Pacific of New Zealand.

Dana E. Bleitz-Sanburg
My wonderful Folks, I, and my brother, watched every bit of news that we could, from Burbank, California! Some years prior, my Dad’s sister had given us her round-screen green-toned black-and-white television, in which we eagerly watched every televised, man-into-space mission❣️ Thank goodness that my Dad had figured out a way to boost our antenna’s reception, or the images of your walks wouldn’t have come through – our house being in a bit of a shadowed, signal area! I am so glad that I was able to acquire your book and autograph, when it was first published! I remains my prized and much-read possession, and will be “heir loomed” to a niece or nephew, who will properly prize your inspiring story❣️ Thank you for being my inspiration❣️ Now that I have moved to Inyokern and survived the earthquakes, I am winking at winking at
Moon❣️??????❣️

Paul Giannamore
I was six, and my big brother and I were glued to the big black and white TV in the living room in Ohio watching Walter Cronkite and the events unfold. 50 years later right now seems like a second ago as I listen to the real-time mission on a phone that is so much more advanced than the LM computers. And the excitement is still the same.

Thomas Barrasso
My parents, Tom & Phyllis, and my brother Rob were in the kitchen watching on the 13-inch Zenith B&W TV. I spent weeks before building all the Revell space models and reading all the articles and books I could find. I became a scientist, geologist/chemist.

Patrick Nicholas Boccio
When I was young, on most Sundays, my father, mother, sister, and I had Sunday supper at my grandparents’ apartment in Brooklyn, New York. Sunday, July 20, 1969 was no different, except on that day the Apollo 11 Lunar Module Eagle landed on the Moon. Unlike most suppers, the television was left on and we continually monitored the moon landing live. After supper, my family returned to our apartment and I went to bed at my usual time, which was 9:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Savings Time. Right before Neil Armstrong stepped out of the Lunar Module and onto the Moon, soon to be followed by Buzz Aldrin, my father woke me up and said “Come and watch the TV, this is very important”. It was and is still very important! I am still amazed about what we achieved 50 years ago and I know that we can achieve even more amazing things for the betterment of all people!

Dominik
I’m from Poland. I like moon. I like its light so much. One day the moon was so big it was something unusual. #RoadToApollo100th

John Bishop
Shard End Crescent Birmingham England. I was watching. I was 17 years of age my father was 49 years of age. We watched together up until another delay of the of the walk and then at 03.10 AM my father said I am off to bed. I said DAD! Men are going to walk on the moon. I will watch it in the morning! I stayed alone and watched the all but viable grainy images.

Leslie Stockton
I was in Syracuse, New York on a family “geology” vacation with my parents and siblings. I clearly remember the joy and elation running around the hotel bar as a child with my siblings watching the moon landing on TV with my family… The feeling of joy I felt that day stays with me today. I have the honor to celebrate the 50th Anniversary in Huntsville, AL, the wonderful place that played a key role in making it possible. Thank you, Buzz, Michael, Neil for your trip to a place of magnificent desolation. It truly is a giant leap for mankind!!! Happy 50th Anniversary!!!

HARISH N K
I was studying eighth standard when Apollo XI mission took place. It was an era when there was no TV channels in India and heard the news through radio. It was an electrifying moment and it inspired me to become an electronics engineer. When I look back after going through the era of Vacuum tubes, Integrated circuits and Subsequently microprocessor technologies, it still amuses me, at my age of 62 that how you could achieve such a task. Apollo mission was really a great human inspiration…
with great regards
Harish

Cynthia Sivak
I was 9 years old in July of 1969 and watched the moon landing with my parents, brother, and two sisters on the family’s portable black and white television set. I remember Walter Cronkite of CBS on the screen and we burst out in tears and applause at the first steps on the moon! I credit my oldest sister with igniting my interest in space. Thank you, Buzz!

Christina Couture
I was in Santa Monica, CA, My family was glued to the TV, I was 13, my father was so enthralled and explained the wonder and accomplishments of the astronauts and the scientists that made it possible. My father was working for Hughes Aircraft as a senior systems designer at the time, no doubt he would have loved to be in that spacecraft… His enthusiasm made me wonder about the beauty of it all. I recently found Polaroids of the event that were taken by my father. My adolescent handwriting is on the back of the photos. The term LM was written Lem. I treasure my photos. And with all the recent information am more enthralled with the astronauts, Armstrong, Aldrin and Collins. Blessings to them, wherever they are on this beautiful earth!

Dewey Johnson
At my grandparents in Claremore, OK I was sitting in front of their black and white TV watching every minute of coverage! I was 6 yrs. old. Our family was friends with Col Stuart Roosa, Apollo 14 Astronaut and had great interest in the Apollo missions. Thanks Buzz!

Margie Gander
I was at school in Exeter Devon, United Kingdom, Summerway Juniors 1969 I was 7 years old. We were allowed to go to a classroom few children at a time what an amazing memory and watching it all over again yesterday still to this day so excited me.

Greg Gallo
I was in Colorado vacationing and visiting our Great Aunt. The Space program was something I followed closely as did many kids back then. I’ll never forget when Neil Armstrong jumped off of the LEM onto the Moon’s surface.

Mary Teresa Smith nee Cassidy
I was in junior school during the Apollo 11 Space mission. Our teacher had a huge photograph of the moon on the wall. I live in CORBY the town that had the World Porridge Eating Championship. The news of this was read out to the Astronauts… It was very exciting being a little girl and hearing mission control reading about our town. I remember seeing on the black and white screen the grainy pictures of the moon landing and the missions walkabouts on the moon surface. I have also seen the landing capsule as displayed at the Science Museum London. I know if Buzz Aldrin were to visit us he would be pleased to know next weekend we have a Food Festival. It is part of our Made in Corby summers events. I am sure we could rustle up a. Bowl or two of porridge for Buzz. I look at the moon every evening in awe and wonder that one of my favourite memories was witnessing the moon landings as shown on TV and in our classroom fifty years ago. Thank you for the memories. It would be great if we in Corby could have a message from Buzz to share with the gathering of locals next Weekend at our Food festival presented by Made in Corby. ? God bless you Buzz.

Don Garvey
I was 8 years old. We were living in Powell River, B.C., Canada at the time. I remember watching the landing with my parents.

Daniele Alexis
Although I was born about 30 years after the moon landing, the memory is just as special. My dad, Neil Aldrin Preclaro was born on July 20th, 1969. He grew up convinced he was born on the moon and deemed himself “moonwalker.” The significance of his name and his birthday have always been such an important part of his DNA as a person. He has so much pride and not to mention so much LOVE for all things space. I promise, he can go on and on and on about it.

Adele Tammer
I was 11 years old and from Melbourne, Australia. Our teacher wheeled out a small black and white TV and all the kids sat down in the large corridor to watch the moon landing. We were given the choice if we wanted to watch it at school or go home. Well, I raced home as quickly as I could so I wouldn’t miss a minute of the historic event. As I arrived home our new kitchen resin table from America was being delivered. It had inlayed golden threads, which looked like a swirling galaxy, and every time I looked at the table it reminded me of the day that the NASA astronauts walked on the moon. I sat glued to the TV so I wouldn’t miss a thing. It was the greatest moment in history, and I was so privileged to witness it live.

Ken Plaia
My absolute earliest memory, as I was only 2 1/2 years old. My father was in front of the TV, a black and white with one knob to change the channels, just like everyone else had. My father was taking pictures of the TV screen, and I asked him, “Daddy, why are you taking pictures of the TV?” He replied, “Because it’s a very important day, Kenneth.” Those pictures still sit in one the family photo albums today.

Debbi Dierker Yeary
I was being born in Hawaii. I didn’t witness the television coverage that day but have felt a special connection every time a watch it.

Paul Marangoni
I was in my grandfather’s bedroom in Tombolo, Italy, with my family. The announcer was translating Neil Armstrong’s words into Italian, and I was yelling at the television for him to stop talking so I could hear Neil. I was six years old.

Christopher Jozwiak
I was 11 years old. My whole family was in the TV room watching, dad, mom, my sister, my 2 brothers, and my grandparents were all sitting on the couch watching everything. The room was absolute quiet until we heard “Houston – Tranquility base here.” Then we all jumped up and down cheering and laughing with such joy. I have never ever forgotten that day,

Mary Sokolic
Unfortunately I did not get to see the moon landing being too young at the time, but I have always been fascinated by it. My partner John tells me his memories of the day, as a boy of 10 years and at school in Melbourne Australia. His entire class went over to another classroom where a black and white TV had been set up and watched the event unfold. He remembers the thrill of watching Neil come down the ladder and take the first human step onto the moon.

JJH WIST
Pittsburgh, PA… 3 1/2 years old. Glued to watching the huge black and white TV in the basement with Mom, Pop, and (I think) my kid brother (in crib). As my family apparently dropped off to sleep or whatever one by one. I was eyeballed on TV ALL NIGHT. I did not move, (12+- hours?) … as I turned around to ask my pop another question (he was a rocket scientist PhD in Physics) … there he was … out cold. ;)… I continued watching. :)…… Next afternoon, … Pop and I finished building the 4-foot-tall(?) Revell Saturn V model kit. Never slept a wink. …Wide awake (And remember EVERYTHING LIKE IT WAS YESTERDAY) ……THANKS BUZZ!… for this opportunity! LET’S GO TO MARS :^))

Debbi Dierker Yeary
I was being born in Hawaii. Didn’t witness the television coverage that day but have felt a special connection every time a watch it.

Louie Guevara
Hello my name is Louie Guevara I am from CHINO, California I am 57 yrs. Old now. I attended Newman Elementary school in Chino, Ca. Our class was fortunate to get to watch APOLLO 11 lift off at school. I was 7 years old. This was one of the most exciting moments that ever seen and to apart of. I’d like to give thanks to GOD my parents Luis Guevara and Inez Tapia Guevara also to the Chino Unified School District for which they just had started segregation to which it moved our entire city block consisting of 3 rd. Street, GstlMonte Vista ave in the SOUTH side of Chino. We were bussed daily. Without this move I would’ve not be able to have write the next couple of paragraphs. Thank you, MOTHER NATURE, for making that certain day nice and clear for the Chino buses to run. Because where we lived back then in 1969 earl mornings was ALWAYS foggy causing us to miss a lot of school days, but not this one. Okay now for the good part of my story. Like I mentioned earlier, We saw the launch at school. And the return to earth was at home. It wasn’t too long after the Astronauts of Apollo. 11, Neil, Buzz, and Michael had finished their 21-day quarantine. On that nice clear day in August 1969. Our class was on our way to the multipurpose room for unknown reasons. We’re there and I don’t recall who was announcing on the mic. But he said, “We have some special guests” And out behind the curtain Neal Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins. WOW! Apollo 11 Astronauts in person. How could this be the just we’re on the moon a month or so back. Better yet, I was chosen out of a couple hundreds of kids to go on stage with them and try on their space suit helmet and all. Mind you I was only 7 yrs. old no more than 3 ft tall. The helmet probably touching the ground with it on my head. And just remember everyone laughing I was too. Been trying to find out anything if pictures were taken nothing newspaper nothing hopefully before I go to heavens orbit some photos or anything to acknowledge my story is true is located. But for now, I’ll just cherish those memories. Congratulations on your 50th Anniversary Buzz Aldrin, Michael Collins and to you Neal looking down from the Heavens Orbit.

Abdullah
I was 14 and I was preparing to be a British astronaut. I remember reading books and watching Apollo 11 from home on tv. Today I am a successful astronaut and I sincerely hope that I will be the first man on Mars. I am preparing for Mars with the British astronaut centre.

Aldrin Fernandes
I was born a day after the moon landings. My mother was at the hospital on the day. The events of the day had significant impact around the world and for my parents who decided to name me Aldrin. Since the lunar landing entered my consciousness I have been fascinated by mankind’s achievement in those 8 days of 1969. I have read much about Col E Aldrin and his life especially through his book magnificent desolation… I have visited KSC on two occasions and have been mesmerized by man’s advancement in space exploration. As I celebrate my 50th birthday I am pleased that in my lifetime so much has been achieved by mankind in space exploration which has spurred technological advancement for the betterment of mankind..

Stephen Camuccio
In 1969 I was 14 years old and in love with the space program. Knowing the history that was about to unfold, I asked my Uncle if I could borrow his reel to reel tape recorder. I recorded the entire Apollo 11 mission on CBS with Walter Cronkite from liftoff to splashdown. Every update and the 30 hours straight of continuous TV coverage when they were on the Moon. Even got some advertising from then. Both reels are full on both sides. They’ve been stored in a vacuum pack for the greater part of 50 years. I took them out the other day, and on the same recorder I borrowed 50 years ago, they still sound great.

My prized possession along with an autographed copy of Buzz’s book, “No Dream is too High” given to me from my nephew from when he met Buzz at a book signing. He is currently studying for his Doctorate in Astrophysics and dreams of becoming an Astronaut on a mission to Mars. I’m 64 years old now, and i am still in awe of the accomplishment of Armstrong, Aldrin and Collins.

Thomas S Corona Sr.
I was an 8 and half year-old boy watching so very intently on the 19″ RCA TV we had in the living room of our basement apartment in the Bronx. I’m as fascinated today, as I was then, True American heroes. An incredible moment in the history of man. Thank you so very much! Warmest regards, Tom

Daniel Stone
I grew up in a small town of Milpitas, California and remember vividly my Mom sitting my lil 5yo butt down as we both stared into our refrigerator sized Black n White TV with a 12 inch screen, having gotten the metal Rabbit ears just right …watched the entire event “Live”…. and I was hooked …. from then on, I made rocket models either TP roles for the different stages or the holy grail of a paper towel roll … I drew comic books showing every aspect of the launch to recovery …. The love for anything SPACE has stayed with me and I have installed this “Love” into my Kids .. We had the absolute pleasure of meeting Buzz at the 45th Celebration of Apollo 11 on board the USS Hornet… I saluted him then shook his hand before he signed my book… I know Buzz has met millions of people and would not remember Me …But I will always remember that day He walked on the Moon and the day spent on the “Hornet” and so will my kids as they share Their experience of that day to their future kids …

Erik van der Hoven
I was in Kampen, the Netherlands at that time and, actually, I was sleeping. I slept through all the beautiful steps for mankind. I had just become 3 years of age. As soon my father taught me photography the moon became an object of interest to me. And now I admire the beauty of the moon with my telescope. Happy anniversary to all involved!

Tom Nugenta
I remember very well, it was a school day but most of the viewing was at night, late but my father knew it was important, but the landing was during the day. I was in Base Valcartier, Quebec, Canada, on a Black & White TV, but it didn’t matter because that was all that was showing anyway. Dad let me stay home and told me to remember every detail because he had to go to work and couldn’t take a day off, but he came back and said that someone at work brought a TV in and they watched it anyway. I spent about a foot away from the TV, which is why I wear a strong prescription today, I blame Apollo 11 for that…LOL… those old TV’s were a radiation Hazard. It was great and I hardly slept that night going over the landing in my mind, over and over. The one question that I always wanted known was the Camera, I know it was a remote but it just was a puzzle in my youthful mind that someone would think of this and would sit down and think of anything and everything. I downloaded the Mission statement, I think it was either 250 or 500 pages but at 63 things can slip… lol. I knew I would’ve been perfect for this job.

Tim Morrissey
I was working in the Isaly’s Ice Cream store on Brookline Boulevard in Pittsburgh after my junior year in high school. I got out of work and I was afraid I would miss the moonwalk. I ran home, but I could tell from hearing televisions along the way (hardly any people in my neighborhood had air conditioners in those days so their windows were open!) that it still hadn’t happened. I made it

Jan Van der Knaap
I was 6 years old and fast asleep in the midst of night – it was nighttime in Europe when Armstrong set foot on the moon – when my parents dragged me out of bed to make me watch this historic event on a black and white television set. I remember vaguely having seen it all – my parents told me later that I was still half asleep. Still, half asleep or not, the moon landing made me interested in space in space travel.

Bobby Hudson
I was 15 years ago in Memphis, TN, I was sitting in our living room with my Sister, Mother watching the coverage of the Apollo 11 mission, the spacecraft had just enter Lunar orbit and all on board were OK, busy televising pictures of the Lunar surface from orbit. I was fixed to the television, watching in amazement and wondering of the events planned within the next 24 hours.

Michael Auerbach
I was 6 years old sitting on the floor of my parents living room watching a 13-inch Zenith Black & White TV. It was a hot July evening and my dear Mother was calling me to the dinner table. After a few tries I responded in an over excited vocal burst of, “MOON! NOW! Buzz…Neil… MOON! SEE!”. Everyone gathered around, though I wouldn’t have noticed the even if they were on fire, and we all watched. I couldn’t make out what the black blob was until my Mom pointed to the outline of Neil Armstrong. I know it was some 20 minutes later when Buzz Aldrin stepped off the LEM and the chyron words flashed “ALDRIN ON MOON” but time stood still for me. My parents let me stay up because they knew how important it was to me. Around 11:00 p.m. we walked outside and looked at the Moon and I said, “They’re really there!!” as my parents reassured me that, “Yes they are.”. It is one of most fond memories.

Cristian Martínez Bontes
Nací en Santiago de Chile en 1967, estaba junto a mi padres en viendo por tv el alunizaje, de niño quería ser astronauta y la llegada a la luna marcó mis sueños de infancia y adulto.

Jerry Huffman
Down in the family recreation room with the whole clan gathered around the ever-reliable B&W Magnavox.

Richard Benson
When the landing took place, I was in Kitchener Ontario Canada. I was with a group of friends watching the event on my black and white TV. All I remember was that I had a hard time breathing because of the tension in the room. The hardest part of the experience to endure was waiting to see if the rocket would fire to allow the LEM to return to Columbia and dock….

Stuart Adams
I was in the UK at New Eltham which is a South East London suburb. I was 15 at the time and home alone the night the BBC broadcast the landing. I watched, fascinated at our old black and white TV and took photographs with my Cresta Brownie camera of the grainy landing images. Sadly, I don’t still have the photos, but I was and still am so proud that I was able to witness one of the defining moments of the 20th Century.

Martin Vonnegut
At the Cape. worked for Com-sat… We launched a communication satellite the next day which supplied the communication link between the NASA tracking ship [ in the Indian Ocean and Huston.

Kevin Landskroner
I was just 5-years old when my parents woke me up and turned on the small black and white TV in our kitchen in Beaverton, Oregon. I still remember that day 50-years later. It remains the single greatest collaborative achievement to the day.

Zorg Lub
In my mum’s belly, waiting for Buzz and pals to come home =)

Mark
Like the entire world, my entire family were sitting in our living room watching the entire event unfold on TV. Thank you, Neil, Buzz and Mike, for taking this historic and brave endeavor and being an inspiration to children and adults alike. God Bless you all and the entire NASA team of engineers and scientists. What a historic journey! #ApolloXI

Helen Morrison
At home in the Adelaide hills, South Australia, 3 years and 3 weeks old. My dad borrowed a black and white TV for us to watch. I remember the excitement and anticipation in the house. It was daytime and I don’t think anyone went to work that day. My parents had the TV on the whole day and other people like our neighbours and my grandparents, who lived a few suburbs away, came to watch too. It was a really big deal even at age 3. I also remember around that time hearing and singing the Beatles’ Yellow Submarine on the radio, probably 5KA. Dad said later they were playing it a lot for the moon landing. Lots of first memories that day and proud to say I saw it on the little black and white borrowed telly with family and friends around.

Casey Mittleider
Taking a poop in my Pampers! Pacifier in mouth…I was 2 1/2 yrs. old. Vancouver WA. USA

Robert Garfinkle
Well, I was just six, but remember being parked in front of the television set, my family was all around and we were watching Mr. Armstrong set foot on the moon. Of course, back then I did not realize the importance of what just happened. Most likely, I was most likely trying to ponder the thought of looking at the television, then looking at the moon, and back at the set trying to connect the dots. That would have been me. My head has been in the stars / heavens ever since. I do not take spaceflight nor astronomy for granted that much I can tell you. GOD Speed!

Debbie Spellman
January 1969 my father died at age 41, after a 5-year battle with ALS. I watched the Moon landing from my Great Aunt Gin’s front parlor in Scranton, Pennsylvania where we, myself, my Mom and twin 7-year old brothers, had gone to spend part of the summer of 1969 to get away from the scene of so much pain. My Aunt Gin’s TV was a small screen black and white on which we watched life move on. Hope, that July night, seemed endless!

KAREN BUTLER CHRISTY
I WAS AT THE APOLLO 11 LAUNCH. I WAS 4 YRS OLD AND AT THE APOLLO 11 LAUNCH WITH MY DAD, JAMES AARON BUTLER, YOUR SENIOR SPACE CRAFT OPERATOR AND ONE OF NINE ASTRONAUTS ON THE ENTIRE APOLLO PROGRAM TO NEVER LEAVE THE GROUND. DURING THE COUNT DOWN I REMEMBER THE GROUND SHAKING AND RUMBLING SO HARD I THOUGHT MY CLOTHES WERE GOING TO FALL OFF AND IT WAS VERY LOUD. I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER THIS WORLD EVENT. I REMEMBER HOW HAPPY DAD WAS TO HELP PUT YOU GUYS ON THE MOON. WHEN WE WENT HOME, I DON’T THINK I EVEN SLEPT AT ALL, I WAS GLUED TO THE TV UNTIL YOU GUYS LANDED ON THE MOON. THE MOST INCREDIBLE EVENT OF MY LIFE TO BE PART OF IT VERY INTIMATELY AND I WAS ONLY FOUR YRS OLD AND REMEMBER EVERYTHING. WE TOOK APOLLO 11 LAUNCH PHOTOS AND HAD A REALLY GREAT DAY AT NASA KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, CAPE CANAVERAL FLORIDA. I LIVED IN MERRITT ISLAND FL AND ATTENDED AUDUBON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. DAD WORKED ON THE NASA MERCURY PROGRAM AND SKYLAB TOO. YOU GUYS DID AN OUTSTANDING JOB FOR THE TIME AND ERA IN USA HISTORY. MUCH LOVE AND LIGHT SPEED.

Carol Bott
First year of school. Tadley Primary School, UK – we were all gathered in the library around a black and white TV.

Robert Brand
I was on work experience in the months before the moon walk. I was at the centre where NASA installed their SYDNEY operations centre. It switched between Parkes and Honeysuckle Creek feeds and did the media conversion. There was only one satellite link between Australia and the US. Something went wrong and I was asked to terminate cables for the NASA centre. On the big day I was back at college and watched it on an old TV that one of the lecturers brought in. It was fun knowing that the TV signal was going to though my wiring.

Peter Aylward
I had just turned 11 years old and living in Melbourne, Australia. It was 11:32 pm here when Apollo 11 launched and my parents woke me up to watch. For the moonwalk, it was Monday July 21 and a school day. We were given the option of watch in the school hall (on a 20″ B&W TV) or we could go home to watch. My older brother and I chose to walk the few house to our house and watch it there. I did not realize until many years later, Australia was the prime receiving location and the TV signals that were captured by the dish at Honeysuckle Creek (HSK) and then by the large dish at Parkes were sent to Sydney and then split. One signal went to the Australian Broadcasting Commission, the other to Houston for the international
telecast. The international signal had to travel halfway around the world from Sydney to Houston, adding a delay. So Australian audiences saw Neil Armstrong’s historic first step 0.3 seconds before the rest of the world. I am not sure if I watched the whole moonwalk, as many will know, the astronauts spent a lot of time ‘off camera’ but do remember the President dialing in!

Ludivina Garcia
I was nine years old. I was watching the landing with my parents and brother on our black and white vacuum tube television ? at our home in McAllen, Texas. The images of the approaching lunar surface were ghostly as we heard the astronauts communicate with Houston Control. I recall vividly Walter Cronkite smiling broadly after the Eagle landed successfully. It was then announced the astronauts would open the capsule and step onto the Moon after 10:30 pm. That was well past the bedtime of a nine-year-old child. I bravely asked my Daddy if I could stay up late and watch…” Si” (Yes) was his instant answer. I will never forget that night. It was inspirational and fueled my love of Science.

Tommy R. Chambers
On July 20, 1969, I was sitting on the couch at my grandmother’s home in Nocona, Texas watching the Apollo 11 Moon landing with her and my parents. I had graduated from college just two months earlier, and little did I realize that I would be working at the Lunar Receiving Laboratory two months later during Project Apollo, 1969-1972. I performed procedures and analyses on the Lunar soil and various animal models (species) to look for pathogens that might be harmful to the biosphere:

Damon Dawson
Woodmere Ohio I was 9 years old and during the day I had wrapped a GI Joe doll in white paper to make a space suit. My Father had bought a large black and white TV and we watched all day, As Neil stepped on the Moon, I mimicked his movements with my “space doll” I remember looking at my Father quietly smoking his cigarette, with a look of amazement on his face. A moment in my life I will never forget.
Thank you for your incredible bravery Buzz, Neil and Michael!

Rosemaria
I was in Queens, New York City. I was 7 years old going on 8. My brothers and I were all so excited to watch the first Apollo landing on the moon! It was a tremendous event. We had our best and brightest lead this country into space. I wish JFK could have lived to see it become a reality. Continue the NASA Program…Failure is not an option.

Francis Thackeray
I was 16 years old in Pretoria, listening to the radio all night. In South Africa there was no television at that time, but I have a vivid recollection of listening to the events, crackling but clear enough to hear “The Eagle has landed” (Neil) and “magnificent desolation” (Buzz). I cherish those memories, associated with a big step in human evolution !

Ian
What a memory & what an event! I was in the grade 2 classroom at St Bridget’s Primary School, Greythorn, Melbourne, Australia- watched with my classmates on an old black & white TV! Little known fact: the TV signal that beamed the first moonwalk came via the Parkes & Honeysuckle radio receivers in Australia! Greatest moment in world history!

Janis Kirshner
A bit before my 9th birthday (July 17), my dad, sister and I drove from Toronto, Ontario to Orlando for a holiday. In the lobby of the hotel we were staying in there was a sign mentioning Apollo 11. My dad asked me if I wanted to see a rocket take off, and of course I said, “YES!” So off we went. There were lots of people, but not the kind of hordes one sees nowadays. And it felt like we were rather close, in my 9-year-old’s memory, almost like we were in the parking lot of the Centre! It wasn’t very loud at first, and then, BOOM, and we could see the rocket heading up, up, up…
A few days later in our hotel room, we watched the first steps on the moon, with my father explaining that that’s the rocket we saw take off.
That’s been one of the best memories of my childhood ever!

Stephen Daltrey
I was 12 years old living on the south Coast of England. I stayed up all night for the first time in my life as it was around 3 am on the 21st of July when they walked. I was space nuts and used to write to NASA after every mission and they would send me the most amazing mission photographs. Around 2002 I was lucky enough to be in a TV show where I met Buzz at the Smithsonian and he gave me a 2-hour personal tour! Great guy, thank you Buzz:)))

Jim Hill
I was 9 years old, I was playing outside with my friends in Pinole California, My Mom called me in, I remember her saying ” there’s something on T.V you’re going to want to see” I will never forget watching the first men step foot on the moon. Thanks to my Mom. Marcene Jeannette Newton Hill.

Dave Butter
I was a 9-yr. old child in the UK, so probably asleep during the actual Landing, but followed the Apollo Missions intensely, and it led to a life time interest and now career in astronomy.

Michele Cottage
I was in Cambridge, United Kingdom. I was 9 years old and so excited. Our old black and white TV had a terrible picture all grainy and dark. We sat for ages waiting for the launch watching the clock tick down. Every day of the mission we were glued to BBC news. We even watched at school. I used to look out my bedroom window at the moon hoping I would spot something. The moon landing was the most defining moment of my childhood. It has stayed with me to this day. So glad I was around to witness it.

Scott W. Roberts
Geographically: I was in Grand Prairie Texas, in our family living room sitting in front of our black-and-white television set. I was amazed, anxious, and in a state of wonder… Biologically: I had just turned 10 years old. As a young boy, I was filled with wonder and adventure, and what an amazing time to be alive, the day humans landed on the Moon!

Ana Maria
I wasn’t born at that time, but my parents had a special moment that day. Their mothers met for the first time on July 20th 1969, previous to their wedding which was going to be on September that year. They remember that after the meeting, they watched the TV news with the moon landing. And this year they will also celebrate their 50th anniversary.

Michael R. Neely
I received orders to NAVCOMMSTA Guam and was stationed there working in a Top-Secret division called Autodin when Apollo 11 launched. When the mission took place, everyone on base was in on an accelerated emotional edge. We’d been pounded in the media for Vietnam and the chaos back home made us feel as though the island we lived on was, in many ways, refuge from the bitter division and anti-military fervor back home. In uniform, I’d been insulted, given the middle finger and made to feel as though I were some sort of outcast. Out on Guam it was a different world. We lived in a patriotic, military encapsulated environment. The Apollo 11 mission was in full swing and we all waited in anticipation as Armed Forces Radio broadcast the final moments of touchdown. We weren’t fortunate enough to have live television at that time in the Marianas. However, the excitement of just hearing it was amazing. My buddy, Rich Ciulei, and I were driving back to our base after visiting the Navy Exchange at the much larger Naval Station Guam when Buzz put the lander on the surface. I remember pounding my fists on the dash as Rich drove the old Rambler Classic sedan, we’d bought on the island for $500.00. We both yelled out loud in our pride of what had just been accomplished. Several weeks later, the crew did their world tour and actually stopped in Guam. Rich and I made sure to be at the airfield to see them in person. We servicemen got our touch of back home watching beautiful female celebrities prance around on stage at Bob Hope USO shows and yes, that was a welcome event to all of us. However, this was something completely different. This was extraordinarily special. These were Americans who first planted man’s footprints on the moon. It was an event I shall never forget!

David Peak
I was a 9-year-old in Adelaide, South Australia. I followed the build up to the mission and collected pictures from the daily newspaper to put in my “Lunar Logbook” provided by that paper. We did not have a television at home, so we went to our neighbor’s house to watch the lift off live. With Australia being about 15 hours or so ahead of the USA, the landing was on the morning of July 21st, 1969. – Australian time. I went to school as normal, but it wasn’t too long before we received. The news that the Government Minister in charge of Education decided to close all schools in the state and allow students to go home and watch the walk on the moon. There were very few TVs in schools in 1969!! We went to our neighbor’s house.to watch. Shortly before the actual moonwalk, the father came home to get the TV to take it to the gas station he owned, commenting that there was virtually no traffic. So we went to another neighbor about 4 doors down to watch. I vividly remember sitting transfixed watching the spectacle unfold. I also remember the image of President Nixon’s phone call where Nixon appeared in an oval shape on screen. I have since discovered it was the ABC coverage that we saw. As the 50th anniversary approaches, that day is still one of the highlights of my life..

Gene Lauritsen
I was in rural NE Nebraska, Dakota County, cutting / wind rowing alfalfa with my dad, Howard & I remember both of us being so excited & looking up to the sky trying to fathom what was happening.

Christina Adams Krauss

I was born July 20, 1969. This was in the days before fathers were allowed in the delivery room and so although my father was with my mother for part of the time, the doctor shooed him out just before the critical moment. The story that was handed down to me was that when the delivery room staff made him leave, he walked down to the nurses’ station where they were watching the landing on a television and just as Neil Armstrong stepped out onto the lunar surface, he heard me cry. Growing up we always made a big fuss over the exact time of my birth – 12:38 p.m. EST, so somehow the story must have been misunderstood because the times don’t match. My father died when I was only 13 months old, so I can’t clarify exactly where he was when he heard me cry, but I have always felt special sharing my birthday with the moon landing and despite the inaccuracies in the story my mother’s eyes still sparkle with love for my father when she tells it and I love hearing it.

Chris Skidmore

Seven years and eight months of age, remember watching on a small (16 Inch) TV screen, black and white of course. Absolutely enraptured, glad I was part of the global audience.
Onwards and upwards eh.

Michael Broemmer

When the lander Eagle of the Apollo 11 mission with Neil and Buzz landed on the moon in the Mare Tranquillitatis on 20 July 1969 I was 25 years old. I lived behind the Iron Curtain in East Germany. It was the time of the Cold war between East and West. Since Sputnik 1, I`ve been a space fanatic and interested in all the space missions around the world. At home on TV I was able to watch the spectacular pictures of the Apollo 11 mission in black and white. The pictures on TV were not good, I had the antenna installed under the house roof. West television was not allowed and forbidden in East Germany. My mother and father, friends and I were totally thrilled and cheered people had entered the moon. We had witnessed the beginning of a new era in space exploration live! I have not forgotten these moments until today, they remain forever in my memory. I thank Mr. Buzz Aldrin for the opportunity to report all this here. All the best for you and many greetings from Michael Broemmer from Germany.

PJ and DK LYNN

I was in NJ (Buzz’s birth state (mine too) working in a Route 17 diner which had a tv so we were all gathered around it to witness the event – amazing! Now 50 years later it still seems so vivid in our minds’ eye and since we moved to Auckland NZ 25 yrs. ago, we have another milestone. Fortunately, we did attend a Sky Tower (Southern Hemisphere’s tallest building) event starring Buzz Aldrin – and we even got to set across the aisle from him!! Very exciting since hubby DK worked in the aerospace industry in NJ making satellites – wish we could be there to celebrate, but we will be sporting our Apollo XI t shirts – thanks Buzz, all of the NASA astronauts and crew who made it happen – glad you found the keys for the Eagle!!!.

Margaret & Celine Mariotti

I was 12 at the time and my sister Celine was 9. We always followed the space program and were so excited to see Neil and Buzz walk on the moon. We were in our living room at our old house in Shelton, CT. We had a colored TV which we bought early that year. Our Mom and Dad were watching also. It was so exciting to finally see it. The photos were nothing compared today but to actually see it happen live was something we have always remembered. It was a very special day for America and the world. Years later we bought a model of Apollo 11 and our Dad had it with his train set. After he died, we had to sell most of his trains. We kept the special ones and of course the Apollo 11 model. We have it on a table in our new home with our Dad’s special trains. A special memory of that special day now 50 years ago.

Helen Agee

I was 8 years old and our family was on the road home to Oklahoma from my grandparents’ home in Texas. We were trying to get home in time to see the hatch open and the first walk. We heard on the radio that it was going to be earlier than originally thought. My parents found a restaurant named Nickerson Farms and stopped there. We all went inside because they had a T.V. set (not a typical thing back then) and gathered around with all of the other patrons to watch. My parents wanted to make sure we remembered that moment. We later moved to Florida and watched saw launches and the entire Space Shuttle program develop and eventually end. The space program has been such a big part of who we are as Americans.

William H Lange
I was currently in the U.S. Air Force on leave in Sorrento Italy watching Buzz and Neil walk on the Moon from the Hotel Bristol. FANTASTIC MEMORY!

Jacomus

On the morning of July 21, 1969, in France 4h I was 10 years old and with my father we watched on the TV the first steps of the men on the moon, extraordinary and unforgettable

Baldewyns Francis

In Belgium, it’s July 21st when, at 3 hours 56 minutes 20 seconds, Neil Armstrong puts his foot on the moon. My wife and I got married on July 19th and at this very moment of the beginning of astronauts’ walk on the moon, we are in France in the “Vosges” where we started our honeymoon trip.
“To each his own moon” do I usually say …Them on the true moon, us on the honeymoon
Were we sleeping ? Or were we doing something else? I don’t know, but we were in our bed and not in front of a TV set.

Hank Hicks

Home in San Leandro, CA. Was taking Chemistry in Summer School. 7-11 had a promotion, buy a Slurpee, get a fold up lunar module. I watched every launch I could from Mercury to Apollo. Watched the landing and moonwalk home on TV. We had a moon landing party in our Chemistry class. An absolutely an amazing period.

Bobby Wright

Easton, Connecticut. Our whole family gathered around the black & white TV. Our parents and all 6 kids (plus our German Shepherd) witnessed this historic event as it happened.

Roby Nud

Unfortunately, I was not born yet but this is the only moment I regret not having lived.

Efren Castellanos

I was in Our first home in Miami Florida with my father, my uncle, me and my lil sis around the TV Set I was Seven years old and remember learning all about the Apollo 11 mission that year in school and to this day there has never been a more monumental moment for mankind as the day the eagle landed on the moon surface.

Gerald Blackburn

I was at my home in Whittier California. Had set the alarm for an early rise to see the landing then get ready to head into work at the North American Rockwell plant in Downey to work on the rest of the Apollo spacecrafts.

Alfred Hassebrock

July 24th, 1969, I was aboard the USS Arlington AGMR-2. The capsule splashed down about 3 miles from our ship. President Nixon had spent the night of the 23rd aboard the Arlington and flew to the USS Hornet to view the splashdown. Unfortunately, he ended up 13 miles away and did not see the capsule land in the ocean. Only the Arlington sailors saw it land, along with the helo crew from the Hornet. I count myself as one of a few hundred people in the World to see the splashdown. No TV coverage for the splashdown. I have a letter from Neil Armstrong thanking us Arlington crew for being there.I was there for the 45th anniversary of Apollo 11 on the USS Hornet and we plan to attend the 50th this year. Had an AWSOME time with BUZZ!!! The splashdown happened on my birthday…. what a present to remember!

Alfred Hassebrock

Witness to HISTORY…Apollo 8-10-11

Andrew Fellner

Glued to the television set in the living room of our home in Illinois. A 20-year-old college student, I was seeing the fulfillment of what I had been reading about almost since I first learned how. Today, fifty years later, still the greatest event I have been privileged to witness.

Leah Hryciw

I was being born at St. Boniface Hospital, Manitoba, Canada. July 20th, 2019 is going to be extra special. My parents bought me a commemorative medallion from the Birks jewelry store which I wore every day until a home robbery. It made me feel close to the moon landing. I’ve tried to find its replacement but, have had no luck.

Raymond R Reines

I was a ten-year-old child sitting with the family in our living room at 117 West 90th Street Apt 18-B in New York City, watching this historic event unfold on our little Zenith Black & White television set…on one of only three channels available at that time!

Daniel Brea

No other childhood memory is as vivid for me as the day man walked on the moon. The anticipation had been building for days, starting with watching the blast off in my Bronx elementary school PS28’s auditorium along with all the 5th grade students, I was 10 at the time living with my mom and sister in a small New York City apartment in the Bronx. We had a small black and white TV with a rabbit ear antenna that my sister was holding as I asked her to move it around until we got the best image. The reception was poor but the grainy black and white image along with the newscaster’s voice over made this historic moment very clear. I remember my mother saying a prayer because she was afraid that this act would somehow lead to the end of the world. I just sat there in the living room floor, wide eyed taking it all in thinking that I was probably witnessing the most amazing and important moment in scientific history. I also remember celebrating the moment by eating a yodel. Thank you Buzz. Because of you and all the great men and women of NASA, I developed a lifelong passion for science. I became an electrical engineer and have worked in the electric utility industry for the last 40 years. That small step for man inspired me, a 10-year-old immigrant kid from the Bronx, to have the courage to take giant leaps in everything I do in my life.

Vicki Bendau

On vacation with my family and our friends in the town of Avalon on Catalina Island. We watched on a tiny B&W set. I’ll never forget it.

Charles Hanley

I was five years old, traveling from Ohio to Connecticut with my parents to visit distant relatives. I was at my aunt and uncle’s home., joined by six of my cousins. All eleven of us were crowded around a small black & white TV, with me sitting nearby on the floor. I had watched as many broadcasts of the earlier Apollo flights as I could, and I anxiously anticipated this moment. To be surrounded by all those family members at that triumphant event made the lunar landing more special. It left an indelible mark on me, as I continue my three-decade career as an aerospace design engineer. Thank you, Neil, Buzz, and Michael.

Rodney Gadsden

living in Australia I couldn’t be further away from the world, I was 6 years of age and my dad was laid up in bed suffering pneumonia, I sat on the end of his bed watching the landing and walk on the moon on our new black and white TV, it was magnificent. I was lucky enough to meet their great Buzz Aldrin one of my hero’s in Melbourne last year, if only I could have met JFK, I would have ticked my hero boxes for life. Thanks to all the of the space pioneers and thanks for the life long memories.

Yashwanth Thammala

I was obviously somewhere in the cosmos I believe. But my dad was just one year old and was getting pampered in my granny’s hands in an Indian village near Hyderabad with no idea about what a Moon Landing was. But I do feel nostalgic to believe that it’s been 50 years already. But I am very glad to say that I hosted a Toastmasters session on Jul 20 last year at 9.45 AM IST with the theme ‘Mission to Moon’ to celebrate the historic Moon Landing. I cheered for You, Neil and Michael from the meeting hall in Mumbai. It was truly a Delightful moment.

H.J. Tim Truett

NAS Pensacola, Florida, I was a Student Naval Aviator waiting patiently to make my first aircraft carrier landings. Later that day the six members of my Flight made a dozen Field Landing Carrier Practice landings to stay in tune for our ship landings that came a couple of days later. During this practice I tried to emulate the skill and precision I imagined was required of Astronauts Armstrong and Aldrin to fly and land the Lunar Module.

David Ford

I was born on the day the man who started this whole journey (JFK) was Assassinated on 22/11/1963. Six years later on Monday 21st July 1969 I was in Melbourne Australia at Primary School class, it was approximately 12:45pm in the afternoon as the whole class watched the TV awaiting both Armstrong and Aldrin to step from the LEM onto the lunar surface, Its etched into my memory with incredible clarity. I can’t believe it was almost 50 years ago.

Bart Welter

On a second tour with the 1st Brigade of the 101st Airborne Division. In the Hot as Hell jungle of South Vietnam. But I heard about it!! Made me very, very Proud to be an American.

Mark Crisp

I was 4, watching the landing on a black and white tv in mum and dads living room… I was spell bound…. My parents bought me the commemorative landing book…I still have it… Happy 50th anniversary NASA and to all of those people involved.

Michael Hess

I was 5 years old. I watched all the Gemini and early Apollo launches with my father. We were all around our TV with the lights turned off. So, we could see every detail of the 1st persons on the moon! It was an amazing day in human achievement! I watched and marveled at all the other moon launches and landings as well! I grew up to become an engineer, and have my name on the plaques of 2 satellites in orbit, and on the crashed NASA LRO. I owe much of my inspiration and work to NASA and all the brave men and women of our space exploration sciences, who in my youth showed that we can reach for the stars, and build a better world! We owe much to them, and the many who worked with them in support. I’m sad that in 50 years we’ve not gone back, or reached further, but hold out hope that we will.

Mimi Jacobs

I was 18 at the time, and followed the moon landing directly on TV. I still remember that historic moment very well. After the broadcast, we went out on the street – in the middle of the night – to share this moment with our neighbors. As a Belgian it was, apart from the moon landing, a very special day: Eddy Merckx won his first “Tour de France”.

Jyotiraditya Sikder

Probably somewhere in the Eternal universe Watching upon them. I am 16 years old now. So, I might have been watching over them from somewhere probably M-31.

I am really proud about the 50th Jubilee of Apollo 11 Mission and is hoping to be amongst the team to get to Mars. My Birthday 19th December 2002….xD

Bonnie Godas

I will never forget that day. I was 12 years old sitting around the tiny black and white television with my family… When I saw Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon, it was almost surreal. My world as a young girl was music and things I could grasp and understand. But not this. However, this event has never left me and has remained as one of the most important accomplishments that I have ever seen, I look forward to celebrating the 5oth in July.

Leo Cesario

I was in my “astronaut suit” that was sold in the toy stores of Rio, playing in the outer space of our backyard, when my father called me: “son, come and see, they’ve landed” I ran to the living room, where the rest of the family was already. I knew we were silent watching that historic moment in black and white. I was seven years old. After the landing and the words of Neil, my father said “they beat the Russians”. In 2009 I was in Pensacola at the NANM and I met the man who made the giant leap in the name of humanity and all those moments that day went through my mind again.

Ellen Russell

My family was vacationing in Fort Lauderdale so my dad decided we would go watch Apollo XI blast off. I remember leaving in the dark to get there on time. My brother was 9 years old and I was 12 in July, 1969. We were so lucky to be able to see the Saturn V rocket across a marshy area. We were near one of the digital countdown clocks. When the final countdown began the whole crowd got quiet and then started calling out the numbers. Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three… and the rockets fired up, a huge white cloud billowed out from below the big booster…two, one, zero! A bright fire and white smoke and the Saturn V lifted off the launch pad. It took several seconds to hear the thunderous roar the rocket made as it left earth. I have goosebumps now remembering that moment. To think that there were actually three brave men aboard was amazing! We drove back to Fort Lauderdale to continue our vacation and wait for the lunar module to land on the moon. The entire experience made a space geek out of me. I’ve always felt close to the astronauts since I was lucky enough to see the lift-off in person. It’s been 50 years, but I remember it vividly.

David Brower

I was 12 years old, at a summer camp in the Catskills, not far from where Woodstock was held. Normally it was a month of no TV, but on that occasion, 500 of us stood outside a building with one 18″ black and white TV with rabbit ears pointed out a window of the one building that had one. I think I saw the first steps, but it was so grey and fuzzy I’m not really sure!

Peter Broxham

I was sitting on a very cold and hard classroom floor with another 30 other children watching a grainy black and white television in a very small Australian town called Bundanoon. To this day it is the greatest live event I have ever seen.

Gaillies Codd

I was five years old and living in Swansea, South Wales, with my grandma, mum and stepfather, who I called Papa. My Papa was very excited about the moon landing. When the time got later and later for the landing, he said I should have a bed made up in the lounge. He stayed up all night and got us up to watch the moon landing. It was amazing to watch. My grandma said she thought with all the money spent they could do something about the quality of the transmission!

Walter J. Wolfe

I was 3-weeks into Basic Training at Fort Dix when the commandant gave everyone on the post a three-day weekend… My wife [of ten months] picked me up at Fort Dix and we landed at a motel about 40-miles from Ocean City, New Jersey. This is where watched the landing of Apollo 11 on the Moon.

Daniel Morgan

14 years old, we were getting ready to leave on our annual family vacation. Dad got us up at 0300 )PDT)to watch the moon landing live. We left a couple of hours later still full of what had just happened.

Brian Mitchell

I was 5 years and 10 days old living at my family home in Metro-Detroit, Michigan. I think I might remember seeing the moment with my family and do remember seeing many of the other launches and moon landings. I do remember that I was at awe about the wonder of space travel and moon exploration even though I did not fully understand what was accomplished on this day after my 5th year of life.

Marc Van Ruyskensvelde

I was born 29/06/1954 Merksem, Belgium. So, I was 15 years old and well aware of the tremendous adventure Apollo 11 and his heroic astronauts were going to make. I remember staying all night long awake at our home to be sure I wouldn’t miss anything of the first step on the moon watching it on our black and white TV screen, I think it was 3 o’clock in the morning. The days before and after I bought nearly every newspaper and magazine from my scarse pocket money. I still treasure those relics…….

K Meador

While on R&R, watching it in my room at the Peninsula Hong Kong Hotel.

Pete Finnegan

I was 15 years old, and Boy Scout summer camp week started at noon on Sunday, July 20, the date of the Apollo 11 landing. We listened to a radio station for the landing audio, which, as I remember, happened in the 3 PM hour that afternoon. I can recall the excitement at hearing the landing had been successful. Then, my dad had agreed to take us (my brother and me) home to watch the moonwalk, which we saw in its entirety at home that night, into the wee hours of Monday morning. Dad took us back to camp the next morning.

William Caldwell

I was working at KSC. I was on the launch team.

Scott Draeger

I was soulless, floating in the abyss during this momentous occasion, as it was nearly 5 years before I was born. Nonetheless, this event loomed large in my life. I was brought up in a world where it was possible to walk on the moon. The technology created in the Apollo program allowed me to take transformational technology for granted. The best minds worked on a large problem, and solved it. I thank Buzz, Neil and Michael for their courage and dedication.

Bill (William) Lauto

I sat on the rug of our living room while using the front edge of the sofa for a head rest. For a little boy in Brooklyn, staying up that late was only allowed on New Year’s Eve. However, that night when the United States of American accomplished two Americans walking on the surface of the moon, I was granted permission by my parents to watch the whole historical event on our 9 inch Black and White Television. I had already watched the moon landing with my parents and they knew that I wanted to watch the first moon walk because I was asking for permission since watching the Apollo 11 rocket leaving the launch pad. I remembering staring up at our small Phillips TV well into the early morning hours as my Panasonic reel to reel tape recorder captured the voices of astronauts Armstrong and Aldrin. I still have that recorded tape today and Newspaper clippings in many albums. I remember fighting off falling asleep until our astronauts were safely back inside the Grumman made LM. I had a relative working at Grumman so even as a kid, I understood the team work that went into this amazing accomplishment. Watching that all unfold on my TV that night, somehow made me feel like a small part of the team. – Bill Lauto, Environmental Scientist, International Energy and Sustainability Consultant

Julian E Gomez

At an afternoon pool party, the ‘rents had taken us to. Dad worked at NASA at the time, I have his Apollo mission pin in a safe place. For some reason, the adults and my sisters were doing things around the party. I couldn’t understand that, I was glued two feet away from the TV, and nothing was going to budge me. There were men ON THE MOON!!!! You bet I wasn’t going to miss an instant.

David MacDonell

I was on summer vacation after 1st grade in Dallas. I watched all the network coverage from launch to splashdown. I happily performed my duties as the remote control to channel surf between the three networks. In the evening of July 21st, after the Eagle had landed, I went into the backyard and looked at the moon through my father’s telescope. I wondered in awe what it was like up there in the Lunar Module. I was allowed to stay up past bedtime to watch the entire EVA, a big deal at the time.

Mary Brick

I was camping with my family the summer of 1969. I was such a fan of the space program and I couldn’t wait for the walk on the moon. My Dad had brought a small B&W TV so we could watch the major events. On July 20, I celebrated my 11th birthday. That evening, we realized that the moon walk was going to happen … on my 11th birthday! At first I thought it was a birthday gift from NASA for me. Hey, I was 11 years old! My Dad gently told me that it wasn’t. We did the best we could to watch those historic steps on our little TV. Between the fuzzy broadcast and the fuzzy reception, it was tough going but we managed and did not complain. This was HISTORY after all. To this day, I get rather emotional every time I see any footage from the Apollo 11 mission. But nothing will compare to that night, watching it live in our small camping trailer on our small TV.

Martin Reilly

About to make my entrance into this world. In the UK because we are 5 hours ahead Neil and Buzz actually stepped onto the Moon on the 21st July so I can say it was the day before I was born. All the time I was growing up my mum told me about the two significant things in her life happening barely 24 hours apart, Man landing on the Moon and her first child being born. So as a kid I grew up just loving anything to do with space exploration and the stars. Thank you Mum, Buzz and Neil and I’m grateful that two of you are still with us.

Alan Hudson

When Apollo 11 touched down at 9.18pm British time, I was watching TV with my parents in Newcastle upon Tyne in North-East England. Later, my parents went to bed but I forced myself to stay awake, my father came down to watch the first Moonwalk with me at 3.56am British time. It was a night I will never forget. I was 17 years old.

Tony Egan

My Mum let my brothers and l stay home from school in Melbourne Australia. Being 8 years old didn’t realise the magnitude of the event. We had bunk beds and being the oldest l slept on top. We had a ladder to the floor and this was continually used to replicate Neil and Buzz. My little brother complained because he was stuck in the command module.

Christopher Keane

In my cot, I was born in March 1969 to two magnificent parents.

Herman van Egten

I was at a Fair with my family in Amersfoort (The Netherlands), we watched the landing on the moon at a big screen at the Fair. I remember even though I was only 7 at the time there was a huge BUZZ about it, I personally never forget that moment in time 🙂

VICTOR SUNSTAR astronomer

My first wife (now ex ) and I were in an apartment in Phoenix Arizona watching on our black and white TV… Meant much to me cause ever since HS I had been following all NASA flights including one time — listening to Mercury flights on a small rocket shaped crystal radio…

Gregory Gallina

I was 7 yrs. old. My parents, sister & I all gathered in front of the old RCA console TV and watched. I was riveted and my love affair with science continued to flourish!

Paul LaCour

Where was I?! I was that kid, 12yrs old with a Tasco telescope who somehow figured out how to hook up my Dad’s Pentax to it & photograph all sorts of stuff in space. Lots of the moon but solar & lunar eclipse’ too. Me & my brother could spot new car models a 1/4 mile away; in the dark; from behind. All things that went fast then was Boss! Heck, I even grew up in the same town Wally Schirra did along w/ a family friend, Mr. Forester a retired USAF test pilot who flew the first real US jet, the P80 as well as the super cool P38 during the war. So, where was I in July 69? Well, I don’t know what they were thinkn’, something about building character, but my parents decided I should spend two weeks in some God Forsaken place called a Boy Scout Camp that my Dad later said looked like it could give Buchenwald a run for its money. But worst of all, with 20 miles between me & the nearest TV, Me! The Kid w/ a Tasco MISSED THE WHOLE THING!!!!! I still look up all the time amazed by the whole thing; truly Awesome that big giant celestial time piece called space. Thanks for being part of it.

Richard Ramponi

My mother and I were at Quincy City Hospital in Massachusetts, and I was born while Apollo 11 was in flight towards the moon. My mom still reminds me of how nurses would come into her room often. At first, she thought it was to check on her adorable newborn son but later realized they were more interested in seeing the news on TV about the status of the U.S. astronauts’ voyage to the moon. Sharing my birthday with this historic event has given me a sense of connection and interest in the space race, and I still find inspiration in the courage, perseverance, and determination it took to accomplish the monumental feat of mankind walking on the moon.

Jon Paul Sank

I had just turned 11 years old on July 11, 1969. I was an eager space fan all through Gemini and Apollo. Certainly, I tried not to miss a minute of Apollo XI. The first step was late at night, and I could barely stay awake, but I would have put bamboo shoots to hold my eyes open if I had to. I was in bed in the upstairs front room of my grandmother’s house in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania. Sure enough, I did get to see the moon walk on a little black and white TV. I remember the words, “One small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.” Yeah, that’s right, I said I heard “a man”, not just “man”! The next morning, I made sure to grab a newspaper with the huge front=page headline. I read all the Apollo XI stuff. I found it very strange that the paper left the “an” out. Can’t they get a simple quote, right? Their version didn’t even make sense! Neil Armstrong was ONE man, A man, taking that small step, and with that came the giant leap for us all. In defense, I would remind everyone that “a” is a very small word, so if you don’t enunciate it very carefully, it can blend in with the “for”. Add to that the fact of the voice being turned into a signal and sent a quarter-million miles to Earth, and you have a plausible explanation of why the journalists thought they heard only “man”. I distinctly remember being very sure that I heard “for a man” and thinking it odd how the newspapers got it wrong the very next day.

Paul Joseph Grant

My mother went into labor with me while she and my father were watching the landing. Her first question after I was delivered? Not “Is it a boy or girl” (this was before fetal ultrasound was common) Not “Is the baby healthy?” No, it was “Did they get off the moon okay.” So glad you all did and looking forward to turning 50 because of it. Thanks for making my birthday so memorable.

Efren Castellanos

I was in Our first home in Miami Florida with my father my uncle me and my lil sis around the TV Set I was Seven years old and remember learning all about the Apollo 11 mission that year in school and to this day there has ever. Been a more monumental moment for mankind as the day the eagle landed on the moon surface.

Mike Barber

I was 10 years old and had traveled from our Hertfordshire home to stay for a few months in Liverpool with my Uncle and Aunt. My mum had been seriously ill with cancer, being treated in Barts Hospital., London (she died two months before the moon landing). We didn’t realize that the ‘first steps’ were being made late that evening and I’d gone to bed. I woke in the morning and before going to school, vividly remember watching the news coverage on the small black and white TV in the front room lounge of my Uncle’s house in Penny Lane, L18.

Marilyn Overholy

Watching on TV with my family not knowing my father had worked on the booster rockets on the Saturn and methods to get to the moon. He didn’t tell us until 20 years later. He was away on business for days and we never knew where. We found letters from his engineering dept. and NASA after he passed away.

Yashwanth Thammala

I was obviously somewhere in the cosmos I believe. But my dad was just one year old and was getting pampered in my granny’s hands in an Indian village near Hyderabad with no idea about what a Moon Landing was.
But I do feel nostalgic to believe that it’s been 50 years already. But I am very glad to say that I hosted a Toastmasters session on Jul 20 last year at 9.45 AM IST with the theme ‘Mission to Moon’ to celebrate the historic Moon Landing. I cheered for You, Neil and Michael from the meeting hall in Mumbai. It was truly a Delightful moment.

Dennis Groves

In Germiston, South Africa. I listened on the radio with my dad. South Africa did not have TV at the time but I was able to go to the library where they showed footage captured from the entire flight on a film screen the day after each event. Still one of my favorite memories.

Richard F Gorton

In awe and riveted to the TV and radio at young age of 23, this was History in the making, Living in Phoenix, AZ recently married and employed by an Aerospace Company, Sperry Flight Systems. Had to have this event on tape, with a reel to reel tape recorder, bought the largest reel of tape and recorded the entire event! Still have this recording and the Sony recorder. At this 50th Anniversary, I shall play that unmistakable statement for my grandchildren, Tranquility Base Here, the Eagle has landed and, when Armstrong stepped off the ladder onto the Surface of our Moon. It’s burned into my memory, that’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.! as it is to others who were old enough to remember, recording their memory here. Thank you! Commander Aldrin for your example and this opportunity to express our experience.

Rodney Gadsden

living in Australia I couldn’t be further away from the world, I was 6 years of age and my dad was laid up in bed suffering pneumonia, I sat on the end of his bed watching the landing and walk on the moon on our new black and white TV, it was magnificent. I was lucky enough to meet the great Buzz Aldrin one of my hero’s in Melbourne last year, if only I could have met JFK, I would have ticked my hero boxes for life. Thanks to all the of the space pioneers and thanks for the life long memories.

David T Stafford

Alert Bay, British Columbia when it launched. Watched the moon walk on the only TV in Port Hardy, British Columbia.

Jay Matthews

I was born on July 19, 1969 at about 5:00 A.M EDT. The final preparations were being made for the first moonwalk, and I’ve felt a deep connection this monumental achievement by our country. All of those who sacrificed to strive helped create the world I was born into — and I’ve carried that “astronaut spirit” with me my entire life.

Robert Diamond

I lived in Bethpage, Long Island, New York, right next to Grumman Corporation who designed and built the LEM. I was 15 years old at the time and had several neighbors who were engineers and technicians working on the Grumman LEM program in Bethpage. It inspired me to become the Mechanical Engineer and Aerospace Engineer I am today working in the Satellite Communications industry. Obviously, I was glued to the TV for the entire mission. In my opinion the moon landing remains the greatest achievement of mankind and I hope to be alive long enough to see manned exploration of Mars and other planets. Humans were built to explore. It is in our DNA.

Dean Geary

I was sitting in my parents living room with Mom, Dad and my brother watching it on TV. It was a great sight to see.

Sharon Frain Novinger

I was born 9:07 am on July 16,1969 at Ft Monmouth, NJ, right when Apollo 11 was blasting off. After I made my appearance my mom has told me that she saw a lot of doctors and nurses, including those aiding her, running to the one tv on the floor so they could witness history. My baby scrapbook is full of Apollo 11 articles and photos. Apollo 11 has been and will always be a part of my life and my story! And yes, I’m looking forward to turning 50 too!!

Salvador Rivera

My family was in Monterey Park, California visiting my aunt for a few days. I was eleven years old and very excited. I got to see the launch live on a color T. V. ABC provided 34 hours straight coverage of the landing, I was blessed to see Neil Armstrong’s first steps the moon and the entire moonwalk (live on T.V.), followed by Aldrin’s descent, I remember the real time transmission of Armstrong and Aldrin’s walk very vividly. The grainy black and white pictures made them look like ghosts. Live T.V. coverage proceeded covering the return of the LM to the Command Module and then trans-earth injection. It was the first time ever I did not have to go to bed at 9 am. My parents considered it an educational experience, which it was. I consider myself very privileged to have seen what hundreds of millions of people throughout the prior ages could only dream about. A few weeks later I had the honor of meeting Colonel Aldrin in his Air Force uniform at the Camelot Theater in Palm Springs, California. “The real hero of Apollo 11 is Buzz Aldrin Buzz has generously given of his time sharing the first moon landing with three generations of Americans. Real heroes love their fans and wish to share their unique experiences with as many people as possible”.

James T. McGinty

July 16, 1969 I was 21 and 0n maneuvers with my Marine Corps squadron VMF 511 in the swamps at USMCA Cherry Point NC.
They had a TV set up in one of the tents and I watched Buzz Aldrin step down the ladder onto the moon. Little did I know that I would personally meet Buzz at his book signing “Magnificent Desolation”, at the Philadelphia library in 2010. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I would

Terry Tosh

My Dad and I drove to Florida from Texas to see the launch. We camped on the shore of the Indian River so that we would have a good view that morning. Incredible sight to witness that Saturn 5 lift off. Then we drove home to Rusk Texas, to watch the landing live. I will treasure those memories forever.

David Walton

I was just 9 years old at summer camp @kilkoocamp. Only the cabin leaders, elected by our peers, were allowed to watch the landing on the Chief’s small black and white TV.

Marco Baccini

I was at home with my father in Basel, Switzerland watching the first Moon Landing.

Roger K Moore

At home in Swanage UK. I was 17, and I stayed up all night with my Dad to watch the landing on our black-and-white TV… I took a couple of screenshots with my Box Brownie camera – one of the landing and the other of Neil’s first step – both of which I still treasure.

Milosh P.Pejovich

I was at my home in Belgrade ex Yugoslavia watching TV direct from USA and Moon.

Victoria Walley

I was a 14-year-old English schoolgirl swinging on our garden gate in Manchester England, it was 3 o’clock In the morning and I was waving at Buzz on the moon. My heart was bursting, my whole life ahead of me, if those men could do THAT anything was possible.

Lo Chi-fung

Apollo 11’s moon landing happened during my first stay in The Netherlands when I was 8 years old. My father woke me up so that I could witness this great moment. Regrettably, I only remember the wake-up moment and the ‘disturbed’ black and white footage of an astronaut who stands on the moon. Though, though it must have been impressive because I’ve read many books and documentaries thereafter. The following moon missions had my full attention where others lost their interest. Until today, the moon landings are fascinating me.

LeVar Burton‏

In the living room of our house in Sacramento California. I was 12. It was awesome knowing I was observing a moment that would forever alter history. The whole world was riveted.

Jani Daniel

I was working in Yosemite National Park- I remember that night watching the moon from the valley floor and feeling awe and amazement! I had no idea what was happening until a visitor to the park shared the news! It was a life changing moment for me.

PJ Church Lynn

Working as a waitress in the Suburban Diner, Paramus, NJ to save money for Rutgers University tuition, which was $600 a year – those were the days, my friend! Several years ago we saw Buzz Aldrin at the Sky Tower in Auckland, NZ where we have lived for 24 years – wish we could have gotten his autograph then, but I have a photo wearing a space suit on the moon!!! We are fortunate to have a gorgeous view of Auckland city, harbor and the Sky Tower from our house … hubby DK worked on the General Dynamics Galileo and Martin Marietta TDRS project for NASA – I love my Fly Boy from the USAF Academy Class of 1969!!!

Christa Cooper

I was an Air Force wife in West Berlin holding my infant son in my lap and watching the landing on Armed Forces TV. I was never so proud of my country as I was then! Thanks for jogging my memory and for reminding me that this nation can accomplish great things!

Robert T Anderson

I was 9 years old. I remember it very well. I was living in Missouri and days were spent riding bikes and playing sports. My older brother and our parents watched the whole thing. The next day when I went outside to play my mom made me come back inside to watch the replays. She said I would never forget this event and she was right. She wanted to make sure I saw as much as I could. The best of times for sure.

Gerald F. Miller

My dad and my brother were at the Phillies game in Phillies’ Conne Mack Stadium. The Phillies lost.We had gone on the train from Wilmington.. After the game we had to take a cab to north Philly station to catch a train back to Wilmington. We got home in time to see the first man on the moon on our basement TV. I was sixteen years old.. I am now sixty six.. God Bless You all.

Mike

I was home in Montreal Canada, 19 years old glued to my b&w TV set from lift off to return only sleeping few hours and eating pizza when there were no activities. I was waiting this moment for so long so it was out of the question i’d miss anything .
I remember friends passing by asking, ” are they on the moon yet” and I would say,I ended up having about 20 people
sitting down on the floor watching Neil and Buzz coming down the latter. Boy those were the days. I’ll bet anything the first man or women on mars won’t be as thrilling

Michael Halliger

I was an apprentice chef at Steinburg, near Itzehoe Germany.

Bruce Gunderson

We were at my grandparents’ cottage near Kenora, Ontario, Canada. I don’t remember the the launch but I have vivid memories of the landing. I was 7 years old and we all were gathered around an old black and white TV set (the same one I used years later to watch Star Trek on). It set me on a path to the sciences that I still follow to this day.

James Allan

I made a tent with sheets in my bedroom. Wichita Kansas. A small TV in my homemade tent. Watching the landing and walks. Oh my. A wonderful experience. I’m now 61 living in Benicia CA.

Tim Mitra

I was 10 and we were on vacation in the US. I’m Canadian. We watched the events and the first walk on a B&W TV in a Holiday Inn. A few weeks ago, I bought a photo of Buzz Aldrin and the flag. It is autographed by Buzz and the photo was taken by Neil on the Moon. #bucketlist

Eric L. Martin
I remember sitting in my father’s home, and watching it on black and white TV. I was only 2 years old, and so the memory is not all that fresh. However, I remember only seeing parts of it, namely, the launch and landing, and a few other parts. I found that it was incredibly nice to me that it happened as i was still so young. I do have more details which I could share later if worthwhile. I’m glad it worked!

Robert Barton

I was 12 years old at home in Santa Monica, CA on the day of the landing. I sat in front of the TV watching intently. I knew this was going to be something very important and something that I would remember forever. I sat there holding my dog as they landed. I followed Buzz mostly and I’m not sure why, but he was and still is my hero.

Mike Dawson

Over forty two years ago I was a seven year old boy standing at the edge of the ocean watching Apollo 11 blast-off atop of the awesome Saturn V. I had seen other launches on television, memorized the names of astronauts, and knew more about rockets than every other kid in my neighborhood. My friends back home were watching on tv while I was actually there! I was feeling the power of that Saturn V first stage as it streaked into the blue Florida sky and I will never forget the summer of 1969*.

Kim Gill

Watching it live on black & white tv. Absolute magic. To this day, my favourite TV moment of all time.

Harold Justice‏

Boeing in Huntsville. Boeing built the Saturn V first stage and was under contract to NASA to do all the analysis on it. My job was lift off (hold down arms and tower clearance) analysis and inflight dynamic analysis. Once the first stage separated my job was over.

Lorrie Kulinski‏

My Great Aunt sewed the flag that was put on the moon. She was a seamstress for Eder Flag Company.

Kathleen Myalls

I was 7. My younger sisters had to go to bed, but my mom and dad promised me that if I could get them to sleep, I would be allowed to come out to the living room of my grandparents’ summer home, which I now own, to watch that historic moment. I was so determined to watch you land on the moon, I took my sisters to bed early and made sure they went right to sleep, and got to watch the whole thing. It’s one of the only memories I have from that age.

Jyotin (Joe) Mehta

I was in Clear Lake, Texas. I worked at the NASA Manned Spacecraft Center. I was a young engineer assigned on the LM and LLTV simulators where the Apollo 11 Astronauts trained. My wife Neela and I were newly married and we will never forget that “Man on the Moon” moment. I felt incredibly proud and fortunate to be able to make a small contribution as part of the larger Apollo 11 team. I will pass this legacy to my 6-year-old grandson!

Scott Murphy

Like so many of us, I was up late on that Sunday night, sitting on our couch, all of seven years old, watching it live on our black and white television, in Queens, NYC. Watched almost every minute from launch to splashdown. I can still vividly recall CBS news announcing “The Eagle has landed.” Joined the USAF 12 years later, and still damn proud to be an American. Buzz, Thank you for your service to America.

Wendy Rivers

I was almost four years old and I remember my mother calling me inside to watch news coverage of the landing and telling me it would be very important for me to remember. I surely do! Coincidentally my youngest son was born on the 30th anniversary. July 20, 1999….

Dr. Peter Broxham

I was nearly 7 and we were all sitting on the cold wooden floor of our grade 2 classroom in a small country town in Australia called Bundanoon. Even at that age I knew we were watching something special.

Eric L.

I remember sitting in my father’s home, and watching it on black and white TV. I was only 2 years old, and so the memory is not all that fresh. However, I remember only seeing parts of it, namely, the launch and landing, and a few other parts.
I found that it was incredibly to me that it happened as i was still so young. I do have more details which I could share later if worthwhile. I’m glad it worked!

Dr. Bashir‏

The parental units bought a TV just so we could watch those steps! I think that was true for so many people: Suddenly seeing was as important as hearing. You brought the moon into our living rooms! Know what else? We clearly knew Russia was not our ally.

Martie

My father woke me up and brought me out to the TV at our cottage in Nova Scotia so I could witness the history. I am so grateful to him for doing that. I still have a 45 recording of the moon landing and also the REVELL model he spent all of Christmas Day putting together with me

James A. Jones Jr.‏

I came home on leave from the Vietnam War to find my family huddled around the TV watching the moon coverage. We were all amazed.

Judith Haney

I was Eight years old, and my Grandaddy said ”Judy from here on in the world will be a different place, mark my words big changes ahead.” I didn’t really get what he was saying, but I was mesmerized with what I was seeing. Seeing the American Flag on the Moon was the biggest wow moment, as an Eight-year-old would know a wow moment, but being an INFJ child it affected me deeply. I asked my Grandaddy, ”how did the Astronauts get there” and he said, ”They’re inspiration, they’re minds, they’re slide rulers, and they’re determination.” It made such an impression that I can still feel what I felt when I watched it, and can remember the conversation as it was happening.

Dee Gardner

I was a kindergartner. My Mom called me inside, sat me down on the floor in front of our tiny black-and-white TV, and explained to me how important this event was, and how no one had ever walked on the moon before.

Ned Bade‏

My family and I were in London on our way to Denmark for my father’s sabbatical. We watched the landing with a huge crowd of people on the sidewalk. Someone had put their television in a storefront window so all could see.

Pekka Savela

Lying in my baby recliner, in front of TV, watching the transmission and according to my mother, making excited noises. I have been an avid space exploration enthusiast ever since!

Vicki Dean‏

I remember watching the launch on grainy black-and-white TV. They would let us watch it in class sometimes. Magical time in history.

Troy Curnutte

Richards-Gebauer Air Force Base. Dad was an Air Force Fighter Pilot just returning from flying F-4 combat missions at DaNang Air Base with the 366th Gunfighters and the 390th Fighter Squadron. He would soon give me the oath of enlistment into the Air Force. So very proud to be an American that day…and every day!?????

Carlos Schemist

What a great moment of History! I am proud to have seen your landing on the Moon when I was only 5 years old. I wished to be an astronaut. I remember playing with a toy version of the Saturn V and the Eagle Lander. I will never be tired to say to you Buzz Aldrin: You are my hero.

Bart Bruijn‏

I was watching TV with my dad when you were there and (it being way past midnight here) I could also see the moon through the window. It was a mighty moment of awe. I was 9 years old. #neverforget

Dorienne Elston

My parents called my little brother and I into the family room and we scrambled in quickly. We both sat on the floor mesmerized by shadowy astronaut in the grainy black and white footage. I remember feeling absolutely awestruck and when Neil Armstrong said “one small step for man…”. I remember thinking on his words for a moment until the meaning made itself clear in my young mind “…one giant leap for mankind.”

When it was over, I ran outside to see if I could spot Neil and Buzz walking around up there!! My father worked for NASA until he retired a few years ago. He was assigned to several lunar projects such as LCROSS and LADEE that continued after that immeasurably historic day.

Shane‏

Sitting on the living room floor watching it on the news.

Anne Belov‏

I was at music camp at West Virginia University in Morgantown WV. We all gathered in the lobby to watch on a tiny television. I still remember that night.

Shannon Mugrage‏

My Mom always told this story, I wasn’t around yet, about my oldest brother. At the very moment Neil stepped on the moon, my brother stuck his hand in a metal fan so she missed it all. He was fine for the record.

Shannon Q

I was 18 months old and teething. My mother told me how she sat up through the night and watched it with me so my Dad could get a good night’s sleep for work the next morning. Might explain my love of science and space exploration

LAMOLA‏

I was in the state of Washington I was 4 years old and my mother had it on the radio while my dad was away in the fields working she listened to it and made us sit there and listen to it with her : HISTORY in one giant step………… .

Kathleen Loder‏

I was a young USMC Pfc, at the USO in NYC, watching with dozens of others! Astronauts and NASA folks are my heroes! It was a time of hope during the Viet Nam War, and after the assassinations of JFK, MLK, RFK, and others. From sadness to hope & joy! Ad astra…

Andy Morse
I was five years old and in the UK was not allowed to stay up live but watched reruns and any broadcasts on the big old black and white TV at school through the following day. The Apollo programme, especially 11, made me become a scientist … about to notch up 30 years as an academic at the University of Liverpool.

Augustus Baconoid

I was 17 years away from that historic moment! But wish I would have been there!

Franklin S Werren‏

And I was watching you from a State Park near Syracuse NY on a small tv running on a generator and looking at the moon over my shoulder!!! And I was amazed as a 14 yr old could be.

Jack Kenne
I was at work in the Army MARS station, AB8AD, on Di An Army base in South Vietnam. We had orders to stand-down and not transmit on our assigned frequencies during the time of your flight. Fortunately for us, we had no orders saying we couldn’t listen!

Sheri Schwartz‏

True story….at the exact moment you took your first steps on the moon, so did I. Even being a one year old I remember!

Brian Altman‏

49 years ago today like everyone else I was watching Coronation Street and the news headlines that man had landed on the moon…

Captain Ray Gephart

I clearly remember my father making me go over to the neighbors house (Barb and George) to watch it. I did not want to, being a eight year old kid, but my father insisted telling me “ some day you will remember this and be glad you watched it”. Boy was he right about that one. Crawfordsville Indiana. Proud American , Purdue graduate and current Continuing Lecture.

Thad Mum‏

I was in primary school and we watched it on TV 🙂

Marek Kociak

At a Summer Camp in a tiny fishing village in Rowy, Pomerania, Poland, with about 120 other 10-15 year old kids. As one of the eldest I stayed up till late to watch the grainy black and white transmission on a small tv set. Was so proud of this achievement, it were some of the best moments of my life !

Tamra Knepfer
I was born on the morning of July 16, 1969 — as Apollo 11 was blasting off for the moon!

Donna Standin‏

You absolutely were! I was 18 years old and my family and I were glued to the TV while you made history. It was a brave and wondrous thing you did, Mr. Aldrin, and to this day a magical memory for me.

Winfield Huff
I was nine years old at home in Alabama watching on a nineteen inch TV with my family. It was awesome.

José Carlos

I was ten years old & I was in a neigbour house in Santiago, Chile, where we pay for watching tv. Only few people had tv at home. We saw the moon landing and Armstrong going ladder down an did his first step and following walking around there with Buzz. Images where B&w &not enough clear and no body there understand English transmission. I learned some of English several year later. Everything was very surprising and wonderful. I’m a space race fan. I’m 60 years old now.
Greetings Buzz, you are a real hero of 20 Century. A huge hug. José//

John David Tiller‏

Thank you I watched you land on old B&W TV. Spellbound for certain!

Debra Chapman‏

I was at my grandmother’s house with all my aunts, uncles & cousins. It was beyond anything that I could ever have imagined. We were all stupefied & speechless.

Bill D Robinson
In my house in Highland, IN. Thrilled beyond my expectations. At eighty-one years old I still can’t get my neurology around this fantastic event! I want to add that even at my age Buzz is still one of my heroes. Now and again I watch the DVD, “The Wonder of it All” and am left spellbound.

One can see in the astronaut’s countenances a mature seriousness that most people never come to. One exception and that would be Major Dick Winters from the movie “Band of Brothers”.

Tom and Sue Ellen‏

I was hurrying back to New Jersey in my Dad’s old VW with my brother and a good friend to watch the moon landing after being in Florida to see the launch. It was all well worth the drive and unforgettable.

Fred Smith‏

I was in Taormina, Sicily with the SECNAV as he talked directly to the men on the moon. I was his driver for his visit to Sicily.

Hamania

In front of the TV!

David Kupferman

At the age of 16, I was at home watching the landing on CBS with Walter Cronkite and Wally Schirra but I also set up a 3″ reel tape recorder to record the NBC radio broadcast. The moment when CAPCOM Charlie Duke said “Eagle, Houston, you are go for landing over” and the following events are the most thrilling things I have ever heard.

Bodil Lehrmann‏

In Denmark, watching TV!

Georgi Mitchew‏

Asleep in bed until my mum woke me up in the dead of night, to watch the event on a very grainy black & white television and have been in love with science & science fiction ever since. I was 6 at the time!

Dave Edwards‏

I was at Jodrell Bank, a little older than yourself and watching grainy pictures on a large TV or screen. Posted a special postcard to ourselves from JB with a special stamp. Must find my diary for that year.

Patricia‏

Literally, this is on of my first memories! I was actually almost 3. 🙂

Greg Moosai ‏

I remember watching it on our 1st B&W TV, excited because our Honeysuckle Creek telemetry station was transmitting the signals.

Snorre Fagerland‏

As a four year old, I saw you take those steps. I’ll forever be grateful that I lived in the timeline that included you and the other heroes for science that made that journey.

Michael Denesyk‏

I was a kid on the prairies when man landed on the moon.

Mark Meccia

I was at Sea Crest apartments on Siesta Key, FL with my parents and sister. My Dad got me a Telescope for my birthday, I got it early so we could look at Moon during your landing on the Moon! I was going to be 9…My Dad was teasing us kids that he saw you guys waiving to us when he was looking at the moon to get it focused.

Keith Wilkinson

A small child (10), standing with my dad looking up at the moon, next to a gate in a Weymouth (UK) field whilst on holiday. Happy times.

Kelly Day

I was 10. Watched with wonder in the living room at home in Omaha with all 3 brothers, Mom and Dad. It… was…. amazing…

Darnell Branch

I was 10 years old looking at it on tv with my parents and sister, sitting on the living room floor. Also waiting for Batman and Robin to come on.

Carolyn Sames‏

I was back in Midland,Texas watching on our old RCA tv/record player combo, with chills as the first step was taken!

Sam Shepard

I have a photo of my father lying on top of a nuclear bunker in Berlin with the radio beside him as Neil Armstrong’s famous words were broadcast.

Elliot

I was 9, and my bedtime was 10PM (ET), so my parents sent me to bed an hour before the first step outside the LEM. That prompted loud protests on my part, which they ignored. A few minutes after going to bed, I sneaked back out to the living room, where the TV was, and watched from the doorway behind my parents, where they very pointedly ignored my presence, including my shout when Armstrong stepped onto the moon.

Pedro

I had been at my uncle’s house seeing it at a black and white TV. That summer, in August I hitchhike with my brother to Paris and England. Everything was possible. And also that summer, in September, I met my first wife, an american girl from Chicago, who was studying in Madrid, Spain. Everything was possible after they went to the moon.

Scott Weir

Huntsville, Al was (is) “ The Rocket City.” I was 8 years old. My dad was an engineer with NASA working on the Saturn V instrument unit. On my 6th birthday, Jan 27th 1967 the Apollo 1 fire had occurred. I also remember Blossomwood Elementary School being shaken by the S F1 engine tests at Marshall Space Flight Center. And here we were in our pajamas on the floor watching this shadowy black and white picture from the moon. I do remember that the landing itself was much more suspenseful than the actual first steps, but didn’t appreciate why until i was older. Hard to imagine it was 50 years ago. Even more fascinating is that we did it with much less computing power than is on the iPhone I’m typing on. Makes the ingenuity of all the people who designed the Apollo system, and the guys with “the right stuff” to ride it, even more awe inspiring! I hope mankind can continue to find the courage to continue this type of exploration. As JFK said a full 7 seven years prior, “We choose to go to the Moon! We choose to go to the Moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard; because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one we intend to win, and the others, too.”

Luis M Pascual

I was 9 and was seeing you live at the TV. Great initiative Buzz!!

Montini Lorenzo

I was less than 2 years old (birth date 9 October 1967), and, also because of the time difference between USA and Switzerland, I was sleeping. But my father Gianpiero was watching the event live on TV.

John Dunning

Celebrating my 21st birthday (7-20-48).

Scott McClure
I remember I was at my great grandparents farm in Woodward Iowa visiting when the eagle landed and I recall my mom telling my brother and I “we need to get home soon as they’ll be walking on the moon very soon! I was so exited. We watched it on a black and white TV with my mom and Dad and brother and I remember thinking why is the picture so fuzzy! A great memory – I was only 6 years old.

Alain Bonet
Neuiily sur Seine, France, at the maternity hospital, keeping my parents from watching the event… I was being born! Can you call that a memory? It has certainly always been an inspiration to me.

SHEILA
I was camping in Wyoming with my parents!

Ralph Johnson

At home watching Star Trek and it was preempted for the landing!

Charles Rapson

I was 10 years old. We were allowed to watch the mission on TV at school during breaks. I watched at home too. My parents even letting me stay up until the early hours to watch the landing. My school friend, Dave, who watched with me even went on to become a pilot and is now a test pilot for Virgin Galactic. The courage of the Apollo crew and programme left a great legacy

John Glaeser

Dad was somewhere in a C-97 with the MN Air National Guard that summer. From launch to splashdown we watched every broadcast moment we could in the cool basement of our home in Minnesota.Not only could we avoid the summer heat down there but it was the only place we had a large TV to watch the events. We watched every NASA mission on TV and read every story in the newspaper to learn the details of the astronauts and their exploration. It was a moment I will never forget when The Eagle landed.

Hugo R. Figueroa

I was 6 years old and was glued to the TV, in Buenos Aires, Argentina.,

Philip L. Reilly

I was nine years old and watched every minute with my parents in Thunder Bay Ontario Canada.

Ian Plowman

Living in the UK, the landing took place at around 04:00am, I was a little upset my parents wouldn’t allow me to stay up and watch it, I was only 8 at the time.

Vivek Parab

Oh I was a 5 and half year old kid at that time in Mumbai, India. I still remember following all the initial Apollo launches at that time. Could remember the names of all the astronauts by heart at that time. Am 54 years now and have forgotten the names of all but the first 3 on the Apollo 11 mission. Neil Armstrong, Edwin Aldrin and Michael Collins. These names are etched in my memory for lifetime. Visited the Kennedy Space Centre in Cape Canaveral, Florida 4 years back and had goose bumps watching the film of the Apollo 11 landing. Buzz, you along with Neil and Michael are the greatest hero’s to me. You literally went “where no man has before”. I follow you on Twitter, Buzz and seeing the way you lead your life in your eighties is an inspiration to me. Was worried when you fell sick sometime back on your expedition to Antarctica. Wishing a long and healthy life for you. With regards, Vivek

Chris Needham

I was 7 years old. Sat on the sofa with my late dad, he made mugs of tea and plates of toast & jam. Like so many others we watched on a small black & white TV. A precious memory.

Sue McKendrick

I was fascinated by space travel and the complete detachment from the world. I watched the landing at home spellbound by what was happening. Congratulations to the whole team, this gave me a wonderful escape from reality. I still look to the moon remembering this momentous event and the feeling of hope in my heart.

Rafael Martínez Ramon

I was 5 years old. I watched the moon landing on an old B&W TV. My mother assures that I am very attentive. Their memories add to mine. From that moment I became a space fan. Thanks to Apollo XI.

Martin Wischer

When Apollo 11 landed I was at home in front of the TV.

Stephen Thornber

I live in the UK and I was seven in 1969 but still I remember that day, my mum even though she wasn’t interested herself, let me stay up and watch the coverage and it was incredibly exciting. The next day at school we were all allowed to go home early as everyone, including the teachers were too tired to do anything from staying up most of the night! I’ve loved space exploration ever since and I think since the failed Shuttle programme, we’ve lost our way. Need to get back to exploring! Although I love Buzz, Neil(RIP) and Michael (sadly forgotten by many), my favourite astronaut is Gus Grissom (RIP). Can we go back to the late 60’s and the Space race please? It was such a nicer time than today.

Axel Diaz

I was only one month old when the first moon landing happened.

Linda Noyes

When you landed on the Moon, I was watching you on our black and white TV in the living room of our 5th floor apartment in Jackson Heights, Queens, New York. I was with my parents and elder sister, standing as close as I could to the television. I had just turned 3 that July 11, 1969, but wanted to walk into that TV and walk on the Moon with you! Thank you for your service, sacrifice, courage, unyielding tenacity, inspiration and legacy of wonder and human evolution! Many hugs and Appreciation!

John Scott

I was in Maquoketa, Iowa and had just finished first grade. Space travel was all I thought about. I clipped newspaper articles and wrote book reports. I wanted to be an astronaut too! To this day, I am fascinated by what we accomplished in the 1960’s. I love reading the books, viewing the photographs and watching archive footage and movies. I hope to witness our return to the moon!

Gregg Adelman

I was 7 years old and sleeping when the hatch opened and man walked on the moon. My parents woke me and I sat on the edge of the bed watching!

Stephen D

I was home (NYC, Queens, specifically) with my parents and my 3 younger brothers. Like everyone else who was watching, we watched it in glorious black and white (grainy, sure, but hey, it was coming from the moon). I just remember being awestruck by the whole thing. And now we have the expression, “We can put a man on the moon, so why can’t we…..”

Roger Heym

I was hitchhiking with a friend. We stopped in Olympia Washington to watch you in a hotel restaurant.

Miguel Cooper

I was thirteen years old, we have just moved to another house because my Dad passed away on January that year. On July 20 we were following the Moon Landing, at noon we followed the LM landing, we were on the living room, I was playing with some little cowboys. At evening the hatch opening and the first steps. We (Sisters, mother, our nana) were watching it on a small Sony B&W TV. I remember that the anchorman (in Mexico) was saying they will open the hatch soon, and repeated this many times. Our nana then said “Come on open the hatch”. It was a great moment, I remember it very clear as if it has just been.

Nan Kolomitz

I was 11 years old and watched the lunar landing in my living room in suburban Detroit. I was a pen pal to the astronauts and knew all of their names. They sent me mission patches and pamphlets. I built a Revell scale model Saturn 5 rocket and LEM. I would have applied to the program if not for a childhood disability. I believe this event was the single greatest moment of my childhood and think back on it fondly every time I gaze at the moon. Even to this day I am still in awe. I believe in the space program and hope Americans reach Mars in my lifetime. I thank Col. Aldrin for supporting this quest. Great things can be accomplished with American know-how and tenacity.

Al Cavagnet

Queens, NY. I was 5 years old. Mom and Dad woke me up to make sure I was awake to see history

Bob Davidson

Buzz. Feels like yesterday. Well, maybe the day before that! One thing I do remember was rain. After your launch, we had bad weather your entire journey to the moon and even Walter Cronkite questioned whether the flight was affecting the weather. Bad weather stopped almost to the moment of landing. I was in Philadelphia and 14 years old. Young and inspired, I remember sitting cross-legged in the living room watching like every other earthling with a television. Your landing was the fireplace of imagination for the world. I remember stepping outside and stupidly squinting at that moon, as if I might see Neil driving around with a golf club (a driver with a driver?) in that very cool (yet dated) GM vehicle. Thank you for making myself and everyone else realize that there is so much more out there that we can envision. Don’t think that kind of moment could ever happen again. I thank you.

Maggie E. Melin

This girl was around 16 years of age, so no memory is possible from that time for me. Other than basic learning in American schools through ‘our’ history accomplishments, I just didn’t exist in 1969. Wasn’t quite thought of yet, but maybe being dreamed about ?

Mel‏

I was 9. It must have been a Sunday because I remember some discussion about letting church out early (maybe it was a Sunday night service, actually). They never let church out early for anything so that tells you what a big deal it was.

GPA

I was 15, living in Akron Ohio, sitting with my family in front of a grainy black n white tv. Can see that site still today. Congrats to Buzz and all those who made it possible. A truly great achievement.

Michel Beauchamp‏

A 10 year old sitting on his American grandmother’s lap at 01:00am watching it all on television. You couldn’t have found a prouder woman. 🙂

Stuart McCartney‏

I was four years old living in Shirley Croydon UK and my dad got me out of bed to watch this great piece of history be made.

Michele Halpin‏

At St Brigid’s Primary School in Marrickville, Sydney, Australia, where along with several other classes, we watched history being made on a small black & white TV. What a privilege!

Jist Argo

I was 16, and trying to steal a kiss from a girl (who actually married me 14 years later). Grainy black-and-white TV in Golden, Colorado I always loved NASA and you guys were always my heroes! ??? A black and white television Golden, Colorado

Claudia

I was a little 6 years old girl watching the #Apollo11 on a black and white TV at grandma’s house in Buenos Aires, Argentina. It was absolutely amazing, a magical moment.

Helen J. Pugliano‏

All the neighbors (well most of them) on the block were in our living room because we were the only family with a color TV to watch the historic first steps on the moon!

Hause Elf

Complaining I wanted to sleep as my 93 earo grandfather dragged me out of bed insisting I watch it. He was a wise man.

Rebekah Fox‏

My parents got me out of bed to watch history being made. Grainy live images on our b/w tv but the most wonderful moment. I will never forget it

ROGUE

I was watching it on a tiny black&white TV in Zurich, Switzerland. The next day when we paused to watch broadcast of the landing in a store window, a guy asked my Dad if we were Americans, when he said we were, the people gathered at the shop window applauded my family.

Finbar Tis‏

I was an 8 and at Panama City beach in Florida with my family. I fell in love with Buzz, Neil and Mike that night. Years later I fell in love with Mission Control. The documentary Failure is Not an Option-not the Apollo 13 movie-is something all managers should watch. Amazing!

Mike Dawson‏

I watched Apollo 11 launch from Patrick AFB with my family. I was 7 years old. It was like witnessing the Wright Bros or perhaps the invention of fire.

Roxanne Matthews‏

I was 8, and we were on vacation in Canada. We had spent the day at Niagara Falls. I remember sitting on the floor in the motel room watching it. I actually think of that often!

David W Giffen‏

Our trip from Edmonton went through Utah July 21 1969. On our ‘68 Ambassador’s radio we heard “contact light”, then “Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed.” Later everyone at the motel watched its small b&w TV and heard Neil Armstrong’s “small step…giant leap” speech.

Lisa Prejean‏

I was 3. We saw those first steps on a TV with legs and an antenna. It is my earliest memory. Years later, in fifth grade, I portrayed an astronaut in a school play using my dad’s white motorcycle helmet. My son now helps to send small satellites to space.?

Brett H Davis

I was watching it on TV IN Bristol, Wisconsin on my dad’s new color TV from SEARS on a farm that was 365 acres in a 2 story house with a chicken coops 2 huge barns full of hay to roll around in and a huge 5 acre clover field where we flew our kites some homemade some store bough

Dace Dolores

I was 11 & enthralled watching it live on tv w my family. We always watched the Gemini & Apollo missions, so actually seeing them step on the ? was breathtaking. Side-note: last Sun. I got to attend the Natl Cathedral & got to sit near the stunning moon rock stained glass window.

Ned Bade‏

My family and I were in London on our way to Denmark for my father’s sabbatical. We watched the landing with a huge crowd of people on the sidewalk. Someone had put their television in a storefront window so all could see.

Jen Mchugh‏

I lived on Crooked Lake in Angola, IN. I was 6. We watched it on a black and white TV, then later went out on the dock to watch the stars in the night sky. It was a magical time!

Alan Gilchrist

Watching in the living room of our house in Merritt Island, FL. My dad worked at Kennedy Space Center, and was unsurprisingly working late that night.

Elizabeth Saunders‏

Standing outside our house in Long Beach, Ca., looking up at the moon and being amazed!

Michael J Robbins‏

Seven years old–rising 3rd grader. Watched on West Coast with parents. My recollection is that it was still light out, but just barely. We lived near a major freeway and looked out and there were zero, …zero … cars out driving.

Patricia McGahan‏

My family gathered in the TV room, and it felt like a holiday. I sat on the floor, transfixed and holding my breath inches away from our Magnavox console TV. When Apollo 11 impossibly touched down, we all clapped and my and my father said, “I wish John Kennedy was alive.” #Apollo11

Jill Von Berg‏

I was a child in the Isle of Man glued to a black & white TV I still have newspaper clippings from the DailyMailUK saved like treasures all these years.

Lisa Prejean‏

I was 3. We saw those first steps on a TV with legs and an antenna. It is my earliest memory. Years later, in fifth grade, I portrayed an astronaut in a school play using my dad’s white motorcycle helmet. My son now helps to send small satellites to space.

Chuck Ellis‏

Was sipping a glass of #TANG from the living room couch, playing w/ the miniature #MoonBuggy that came inside the jar of orange drink mix. I was 4. Although #Buzz said, “Tang sucks.” I kinda liked it. LOL

JP Mann‏

Dark local mountain time, in PJs, in front of a fuzzy B&W 5 inch TV screen — on a rug, with a TV tray, eating raisins… while my parents told us we’d want to tell our grandchildren about this day… some day.

Antonio Gomez

In México City, the family glued to the ?. Lic. Zabludovsky, our version of Walter Cronkite, said emotional “stop your watches if you want to preserve the memory” a bolt of lightning has divided history here.

Hillary

I was in Lake Charles. We’d just moved there. We watched it live on b&w TV at the church parsonage, and every so often I’d go outside to gaze up at the moon in wonder that humans were standing on it at that very moment.

Colleen Thompson‏

I was born in Feb 69. My father always said he propped me up on a pillow so I could watch the movies n landing. Historic

Maria McGrath

I had just started my first job at 14 years old. I remember our entire extended family sitting in front of our RCA Victor TV in awed silence. My 80 year old Italian grandmother was speechless. Never did she think such a thing possible.

Valery‏

We went for a ride to the Russian River in Oxccidental .CA my dad bought me a Shirly Temple while we watched it on the B&W TV at the bar while we waited for dinner..more memorial for me my little sister threw up all over us in the car on the way home.

Jose Rafael Lopez‏

I was 11, I will never forget it, in the kitchen of my parents’ house, Montevideo, Uruguay !!! I wish you the best always !!!!!

Sonny Cohen‏

Watching in b/w on our first color TV. Got my engineering degree 2 years later. Sputnik got me interested. Apollo put my mind in orbit. Friend of Judy Resnik, hero. RIP.

Art Kavanagh‏

I was in a lovely bungalow that no longer exists in Killiney with my father who had just come out of hospital and had less than 6 months to live (something of which I hadn’t a hint of a suspicion).

Steve Turner‏

I was 11. My parents didn’t have a TV but I was in a camp bed under the stars in our garden and heard my neighbour’s TV through their open window. It was so exciting!

TEAM SLAMOLA‏

In the state of Washington I was 4 years old and my mother had it on the radio while my dad was away in the fields working she listened to it and made us sit there and listen to it with her : HISTORY in one giant step……

John Hamilton

I was 6 years old, living in Zambia. With no TV but knew the landings were happening. Straining my eyes while looking at the moon, thinking I just might catch a glimpse of the lander… so I became an engineer.

Carolyn Sames‏

I was back in Midland, Texas watching on our old RCA tv/record player combo, with chills as the first step was taken! #MoonLanding

Tim Higginson‏

I was in Osoyoos British Columbia at the Rod n Reel Motel. 8 years old watching on a black and white TV. Occasionally looking up at a full moon. Wow. Will never forget it.

Antoni

My Dad worked on the Apollo project via North American Rockwell. I want to see a generation of kids have the amazement that I had looking at the moon and wondering. Thanks to my Dad for being one of thousands who helped to put a man on the moon. Thank you !

Brenda

My mom coded for these missions at MIT’s Lincoln Labs. It’s a great bit of history. I still have some of her now declassified on-boarding materials and descriptions of every stage of the computer goals. This all translated into use in air traffic control and missile defense after.

Francine Farrell

I was sitting in our living room with my mom and step-dad in San Mateo, CA. I remember it so vividly. We were on the edge of our seats. It was amazing. Very proud moment for all.

Richard Lobinske
I was a couple months shy of 6 at the time. My family watched the launch from our front yard on the west shore of Lake Eustis in central Florida. The day of the landing I was super excited, playing with one of the Gulf Oil Company paper LM models and running into the house to watch the news updates of the landing. Unfortunately, by the time the EVA started at almost 11 PM Eastern time, I was worn out and fell fast asleep, so I didn’t see any of it live. Growing up with Apollo started a lifetime fascination with space and space exploration that I still enjoy. I’ll be back to KSC this weekend for another visit.

Gerry

Waiting patiently for the right sperm to meet the right egg.

Robby Roulston

I wasn’t born until 1973 but I can tell you that the men of the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo space programmes inspire me now just as much as they did when I first learned about them in school when I was five. My career in the Royal Navy and my deployment as a civilian to the frozen wastes of Antarctica have all been influenced by those missions, in particular, Apollo and the brave pioneers who flew them and the people on the ground who made it happen.

Sue Geramian

At sleepaway camp. Some of us from the girl’s camp snuck into a boy’s bunk because they had a tiny television. It was thrilling! The landing, not the boy’s bunk.

Katie Blaylock
My aunt and uncle had the only color TV among those in our immediate family. Everyone went to their house and crowded around the set, us kids on the floor closest to the screen, grownups sitting / standing where there was room. Those of us who weren’t holding our breaths were quietly explaining to the youngest ones the importance of the moment. History in the making!

Ernest Martinez
Wife and I were in line for the rocket jets at Disneyland watching the big screen placed above the Rocket To the Moon exit/souvenir store. Very grainy making it difficult to comprehend what we were watching, the predecessor of diamond vision left a lot to be desired but considering it was 1969 it was one small step for man.

Hillary

I was in Lake Charles. We’d just moved there. We watched it live on b&w TV at the church parsonage, and every so often I’d go outside to gaze up at the moon in wonder that humans were standing on it at that very moment.

George A Salinas
I was strolling in the main plaza as a foreign exchange student from the U.S. studying in Salamanca, Spain – suddenly I glimpsed a blurred black & white TV broadcast from a cafe of Neil and Buzz descending from the lunar lander steps on to the gray dusty surface of the moon. These were brave men standing on the lunar dust, joyful and playful as children!

Ron Burger
With my grandfather, Louis Oniga Jr, listening to his play by play… My grandfather was one of the designer/engineers of the heat shield for the Gemini Project rest in peace Nan.

Mike Dinn
I was in charge of Operations at the Honeysuckle Creek tracking station in Australia, providing communications, and television of the first step to the world, for Apollo 11. We are planning extensive celebrations for next year.

Thomas Nocera
I am the youngest member of the Launch Crew for Apollo 11. (I will turn 70 next month!) I met Buzz a couple years ago when John Travolta was a guest host for the Gala. I was also one of 4 men who were physically closest to Pad 39A at the time of the launch. Keep me in the loop for the upcoming 50th celebrations. I wonder how many of those who worked at KSC during the summer of 1969 are still around.?? It might be smart to try to find out and do something that involves those of us who are still above ground. Keep me posted as your plans take shape.

Ed Histed

I was at our summer cottage in Pennsylvania. I vividly remember watching it on TV… on “rabbit ears” with an old black and white television. My paternal grandfather had passed away just 4 months or so prior. He had been looking forward to seeing it, but he didn’t live quite long enough. I remember my mother made it a requirement for us kids to watch (as if I needed to be forced… I wouldn’t have missed it!) She was suffering from cancer at the time, and she passed away less than four years later, but she often referred to it as being the single biggest thing to happen on that scale in her lifetime. The space program has always fascinated me, and now that I live on “The Space Coast” of Florida, I enjoy frequent visits to the nearby Kennedy Space Center, and despite the fact that I am now in my 60’s, going there is a very emotional thing each time I visit. Buzz Aldrin is a true American living legend. I like to tell people how he gets his hair cut in the same chair, by the same barber in Satellite Beach that I use! I’ve met Presidents and Governors and others through the course of my work over the years, but I’d love nothing better than to walk in someday while Buzz is there so I could shake his hand.

Hans Rugaard Jensen
I was in the city of Aalborg in mainland Jutland, Denmark. Watched the landing in TV.

Joanne Williamson
I was an incoming high school senior, at home in Bowie, Maryland, when I watched the Apollo 11 moon landing. What a glorious achievement!

David Tomko
I was in the nursery of Phoenixville Hospital, Phoenixville PA. My parents were celebrating the birth of their 4th child (me) David Armstrong Tomko. Yes, they named me after Neil. I guess if Buzz stepped on the moon first, my middle name would be Aldrin. Looking forward to the 50th.

Lane Sells

I was 11 years old and sat in front of our b/w TV with my official Kroger Apollo drinking glass full of Tang and watched history take place.

Gareth Nolan

I was at my Grandma’s in North Wales in the U.K. For us the landing was at 21:18 on the 20th July 1969. I kept a journal and newspaper cuttings of the mission which I wrote in straight after the landing. I went outside and looked upon the moon and the Sea of Tranquility, in the knowledge that minutes ago men had landed there. Armstrong took his first step at 3:56 AM on the 21st. Myself, my dad, my brother and my uncle watched the walk together, mostly in silence apart from my uncle who had a cough. I was irritated by the BBC presenter James Burke, I just wanted him to shut up! I recorded the sound on my Philips Tape recorder, I still have that recording with all the coughs and the sound of the grandfather clock chiming. I also have my journal which I dig out and read once a year on the anniversary. I’m so lucky to have lived through it as a 15 year old schoolboy.

Larry Parker

I was on Cocoa Beach the day of the launch. I had flown down from Moline Illinois in a small plane with a high school friend and his dad. I had just graduated from high school two months earlier . I brought along a 35 mm camera with a 500 mm catadioptric lens to shoot the launch with. I remember buying and wearing an “out to launch” button all day.. We quickly flew home and I was able to follow the flight and watch the landing in my mom‘s living room on her little 13 inch color GE TV. Once I got home I remember not getting hardly any sleep until reentry and splashdown. I remember having that Incredible feeling that anything was possible.

Rob Pivarnik

I was about six weeks shy of my ninth birthday on July 20, 1969. My Dad and I were eager to watch the moon landing. My Mom and sisters? Not so much. I remember Dad piling us all into the car, in spite of Mom’s objections, and drove us about 30 miles to his brother’s house, so we could watch on my uncle’s color TV. Imagine my mother’s aggravation when we all learned that the coverage Walter Cronkite offered us was all in black-and-white. The ride home was quite silent, but Dad gave me a wink anyway.

Thank you to Buzz Aldrin, his shipmates, and everyone at NASA who made magnificent achievement happen.

Clayton E. Lynch

Well I was not going to be born for 7 more years so I missed the initial excitement but I caught the bug in later years when I got to shake Buzz’s hand at the United States Military Academy at West Point. He came to give an awesome lecture on why we need to get to Mars. I have to admit I fell asleep during the speech but shaking his hand later was a genuine thrill and I, like many, have been anxiously awaiting a time when America takes the lead in manned space flights and gets our a** to Mars! I was also lucky to be present at the blue origin showing and astronaut gathering at Oshkosh last year. Thanks to Buzz and all those heroes of the space race for inspiring a younger gen.

Ben Miller

I was working on a hospital ward in Lincoln and watching ward tv..

Janet Fawcett‏

I will never forget that amazing day! We were glued to the TV as we watched.

Pops Mac‏

I was 17, focused on the TV. Amazed & proud. My son is a Plebe, Class of 2022, at the United States Naval Academy. It is my sincere hope that you have the opportunity to address the Midshipmen sometime during his 4 years. It would be such an honor for them.

Earle Norman Jr.‏

In the bowling alley in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.

Bill Weir

I was in Wildwood, NJ across the street from the house some friends and I were renting where an older couple.let us come in and watch it on TV. Then a couple of weeks.later I went to Woodstock.

James Edmonds‏

Glued to our b&w TV set. Mesmerized. Salutations to you Mr Aldrin. I hope you enjoyed your gala. Respect.

Jerie Shirley Black‏

I watched! Then went outside and looked up to where you were standing!

Francis Nakache‏

Watching the TV in the middle of the night. Trying to understand what was appearing on this strange image. Great adventure, great men, great teams and great memories.

Mike Baker

I was 22 and visiting my then BF, an Army Lt. at Ft. Bragg, NC. We watched the moon spectacle on TV. Who knew, that some 35’ish years later, I would meet you, @TheRealBuzz, at a Washington, DC restaurant and have the pleasure of chatting and shaking your hand!

Mike Francis‏

I was 8 years old watching it on the 2nd hand 14in black and white in my parent’s bedroom. My younger 3 siblings watch with me and my parents. The first time I felt I was experiencing history. Looking back our country really needed this after JFK RFK MLK and with Vietnam.

Jist Argo

I was 16, and trying to steal a kiss from a girl (who actually married me 14 years later). Grainy black-and-white TV in Golden, Colorado I always loved NASA and you guys were always my heroes! A black and white television Golden, Colorado

Michael Tee‏

11 years old. Watching it on TV. We heard a loud crash at the back of our house. I ran out there. A big branch from a neighbor’s tree crashed onto our backyard. I’ve always said the moon landing and the branch falling were connected. You can’t convince me otherwise.

Miles O’Neal‏

And I watched, amazed, in front of a b&w tv in El Paso, Texas, with my dad. I just knew I would walk on Mars one day. I still may. Thanks for giving us all such hope.

John Michael Jones‏

I was watching, aged 5 at the time. What you all achieved was nothing short of heroic and I will never tire of watching footage of Apollo and interviews with astronauts like you. You are a living legend (for many more years!) Thanks

Kevin Pettigrew‏

I was gestating & preparing for launch. T minus 14 days, if my calculations are correct.

Luiz Paulo Rouanet‏

I had Five years. My dad woke me up to see it at the TV. Congrats!

Susan Londoner‏

It was the day I left prep school. The term finished after Sunday morning chapel and then that evening they landed on the moon. Seemed a natural progression just like being about to go to my new school in September.

Bo James

I was trying to boycott watching bc of the war! But at the last minute I had to watch! I was 18.

Jacqueline‏

My mother was eight months pregnant with me so technically I was almost there. My father joined the Air Force in part due to the Apollo missions and I grew up loving every minute of this footage. Thank you…you guys are awesome.

Kathy Vance‏

Being hustled out of bed and plopped in front of the tv with my friend who was sleeping over. We were 4 years old.

Jennifer Rone

I was only 1yr 1mos old, so most likely napping or driving my mom nuts, she didn’t have far to go.

Diehard Donna‏

I was 8 years old and sitting with my family in front of the TV watching the whole thing. Remember it well.

Daniel R Willoughby‏

I was about 5 yrs old my dad set me down and said son you should watch this, this is history in the making. at 5 the only thing I was worried about was when I was going to eat again lol he took me outside and pointed up and said son that’s where those brave men are I was amazed.

Pamela Riggs-Stoia‏

My brother and I were at home with my grandparents, as my parents had gone to the hospital with my mother in labor. False alarm – my sister born one week later

Anthony McEvoy‏

I was a 7 years old kid in Ireland and my Dad woke me up at 4am so we could watch it live on TV with the rest of the world. Ghostly images flitting across the screen. It remains the most electrifying memory from my childhood. I used to reenact it, complete with Airfix models !

Marion Davidson‏

I was allowed to stay up to watch it. Most exciting thing to happen to me at 11 yrs!

Sam Thompson‏

Being 7 years old and getting woken up by mother at 3 in the morning to ‘watch history being made’. And I’m so glad she did.

Pamela Fox‏

I was 15 and had two friends sleepover. I was the only one who stayed awake to see the walk on the moon! I loved every minute!

Liz Loree‏

My parents weren’t able to watch it live because they were up in a little community in the Northwest Territories – dad was doing his doctoral research, mom did public heath nursing.

Liz‏

I wasn’t there but my father was on the USS New. The New was part of your recovery fleet.

Keith Ross‏

At 6 weeks old, I was too young to understand what was going on. For some reason though, my parents gave me Armstrong as a middle name. Space exploration has fascinated me for as long as I can remember.

Dina Hinckley‏

I was 3 years old living at Patrick AFB. My Mom took us to the beach and we watched it from there. I’ve never forgotten the excitement of that time.

Lane Sells

I was 11 years old and sat in front of our b/w TV with my official Kroger Apollo drinking glass full of Tang and watched history take place.

John D‏
I was too young to grasp what the importance of this was but as I got older I became obsessed. I have had the pleasure of meeting you as well as some of your colleagues and was always fascinated to see how down to earth you space travelers really are. You guys remain My heroes!

Jason Perniciaro
I was not even a twinkle in my father’s eye but have always been fascinated by the space program especially Apollo. I believe I have read every single book penned by Apollo astronauts. I keep waiting for Americans to wake up and send Orion to the moon. I cant think of anything that would bring Americans who are so divided right now back together in a united front. I think it would be well worth the expense and risk and am sure there is a line of willing astronauts waiting for the chance. We have the technology most of the equipment is in place a new lunar lander could be flight ready in five years or less. Why not do it? Why not return to the moon 5 decades removed from the first remarkable visits.

Hans Starlife
Buzz Aldrin and I have one thing in common: Swedish ancestry. In the summer of ´69 I was 8 years old, and my nature-loving parents often spent their summer holidays in the mountains of the Swedish north. But out in the wilderness, you could usually only rent some small, single-room cabin without access to TV. In fact, they resembled an Apollo ship – you were lucky if you had enough fuel and water! But this year was different. Knowing of the historic events in the making, my parents had arranged for a specially equipped cabin with TV! Though later we realized your first historic moonwalk would take place in the middle of the night, Swedish time. No worries – my parents promised to wake me up when “they opened the hatch”. So that night I went from my own beautiful dreams to an even more beautiful cosmic dream; and from my own remote hideout on Earth, to another even more “magnificent desolation” on the Moon. And as I watched these two white, ghost-like characters jumping around on another world, I knew it would make a big impact on me. I would never view the night sky in quite the same way. Years later – after meeting another great visionary by the name of Carl Sagan – it even made me change my family name to “Starlife”. I am so fortunate to be born at the same time we Humans opened the gates to the universe. Thank you Buzz!