Join us for a year-long celebration as we look back at the legacy of our first small steps on the Moon and look forward to the next giant leap.
The Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum will help lead a national celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Apollo missions including the first Moon landing, which occurred on July 20, 1969. With our renowned collection and expertise, we hope to spark a national conversation about the past, present, and future of innovation and exploration.
Our year-long programming kicks off this fall with events honoring the Apollo missions and our future in space. Learn more about what’s in store and come back for regular updates.
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On September 12, 1962, President John F. Kennedy rallied the nation behind our lunar quest with his iconic "We Choose to Go to the Moon" speech at Rice University. This moment helped usher in the space age as we now know it. As we look back at our past, and ahead to our next great leap, the National Air and Space Museum gathered aerospace ground breakers--scientists, historians, and astronauts from the Apollo-era to today's commercial crew--to commemorate this historic call to action.
Happening Now | Destination Moon Traveling Exhibition:
Featuring the Apollo 11 Command Module Columbia, this exhibition is on a two-year national tour. It is currently at The Museum of Flight in Seattle. Visit the Exhibit>
Available Now | Commemorative Coin:
A portion of the proceeds of the U.S. Mint's Apollo 11 commemorative coin will benefit the Museum. Purchase a Coin>
Spring and Summer | Exploring Space Lecture Series:
This year's series is all about the Moon, from landing sites to lunar science. View Dates>
July 16, 2019 | Armstrong Spacesuit:
After thousands of Kickstarter donations to conserve Neil Armstrong’s Apollo 11 spacesuit, this iconic artifact will go back on display for the first time in 13 years.
July 18-20, 2019 | Celebration on the National Mall:
We will mark the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission with a five-day celebration centered on the National Mall in Washington, DC.
July 19, 2019 | Discover the Moon Day:
Visitors can learn about lunar science of the past and present and walk the path the Apollo 11 astronauts did on the Moon. Learn More>
July 20, 2019 | Late-Night Moon Landing Celebration
We will celebrate the exact moment the first steps were taken on the Moon with an evening of activities until 2:00 am.
RELIVE PAST PROGRAMS:
The Spirit of Apollo:
This special night at Washington National Cathedral celebrated the iconic Apollo 8 Christmas Eve broadcast from space with astronaut Jim Lovell and other special guests. Watch the Archived Webcast>
Gene Kranz Lecture:
Apollo flight director Gene Kranz talked about his work on Apollo 11 and narrated the landing from his logbook. Watch the Archived Webcast>
Support for Apollo 50 programming is generously provided by
With additional support from
