(Photo Source: nbcnews.com)
The 50th Anniversary Of The Apollo 11 Launch
In honor of the 50th anniversary since the launch of the Apollo 11 from the Kennedy Space Center, the Washington Monument put on an even more iconic look, lighting up with an image of the moon-bound shuttle blasting into space.
The 363-foot projection of the Saturn V rocket will appear for two hours every night along the side of the 555-foot national symbol during the anniversary of the mission. The Apollo 11 mission went down in American history as one of the most crucial events to ever occur around the world because it was the very first space mission that put the first two humans – both Americans – on the moon.
On Friday and Saturday, a celebration consisting of a 17-minute light show will take viewers back to July 16, 1969 when Apollo 11 made its giant liftoff from Florida’s Kennedy Space Center. The event will even feature a 40-foot-wide re-creation of the famous Kennedy Space Center countdown clock at the monument’s base.
The life-size projection was backed by the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum and the US Department of the Interior.
Interior Secretary David Bernhardt said in a museum press release that the series of arrangements was to “[S]howcase this incredible achievement in our nation’s history, and we’re pleased to partner with the National Air and Space Museum so all can relive the moment.
By: Maytinee Kramer
