Landing a Man on the Moon: President Nixon and the Apollo Program

Historical Background

On May 25, 1961, President John F. Kennedy famously urged the nation to work together toward, "achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to the Earth. No single space project in this period will be more impressive to mankind, or more important for the long-range exploration of space; and none will be so difficult or expensive to accomplish."

Just over nine years later, American citizens, along with much of the world, watched as Apollo 11 Astronaut Neil Armstrong took his first steps on the Moon on July 20, 1969.

How did this dream become a reality? Which Presidents played a role in the success? What was accomplished in Apollo missions 1-10 and what happened after Apollo 11?

Follow the document trail to learn more about President Nixon and America's lunar legacy. Record your answers to the questions as you go.

Questions 1 and 2

Based on President Kennedy's speech and the government report that you will see in the next two boxes:

1. Do you think that the United States or the Soviet Union was winning the Space Race when Kennedy issued his national challenge to land a man on the Moon?

2. Why did President Kennedy think the Moon landing was important?

Question 3

3. Based on the next box, what happened to the first Apollo mission?

Question 4

4. Based on the next two boxes, what significant feat did Apollo 8 accomplish?

Question 5

5. Based on the next box, what was the goal of Apollo 10?

Question 6

6. Based on the next two boxes, how did the Apollo 11 astronauts prepare for the Moon landing?

Question 7

7. Based on the next two boxes, how did President Nixon congratulate the Apollo 11 astronauts?

Question 8

8. Based on the next three boxes, how did Americans react to the success of Apollo 11?

Questions 9 and 10

9. What was the last lunar mission?

10. Who was President at the time?