The Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum has received a $2 million gift from Boeing to sponsor the national Apollo 50th anniversary celebration. Programming began this fall and will span through the anniversary of the first moon landing July 20, with celebrations at the museum and on the National Mall. Boeing’s sponsorship will include support of the “Spirit of Apollo” event commemorating Apollo 8 at the National Cathedral, Dec. 11, the five-day celebration to commemorate Apollo 11, July 16—20, 2019, and a myriad of education and community engagement activities from now through the end of 2019.

The National Air and Space Museum will hold the next GE Aviation Lecture Dec. 5. “Breaking Boundaries in the Sky” will feature aviators from diverse backgrounds sharing how they overcame barriers to become commercial airline pilots. Speakers include Beverly Bass, first female pilot to be named captain by American Airlines; Brad Lang, Delta Captain and son of a Tuskegee Airman; and Refilwe Ledwaba, a South African social entrepreneur and pilot. The lecture will be presented at the museum in Washington, D.C and online at 8 p.m.

The National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center will celebrate 15 years of operation Dec. 15. Since opening, it has become a must-see destination and one of nation’s most popular museums. As of Nov. 28, nearly 20 million people have visited the center. The museum will commemorate this milestone with a day-long celebration with activities, expert talks and musical performances.

The National Air and Space Museum will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Apollo 8, the first flight to the moon, with a special event at Washington National Cathedral Tuesday, Dec. 11, at 8 p.m.