User:JoshuaB/Draft of Apollo 11
Apollo 11 was the American spaceflight that landed the first human beings on the Moon on July 20, 1969. This event is considered to be the moment the United States triumphed over it's long time rival in the Space Race, the Soviet Union. The crew consisted of Commander Neil Armstrong, Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin Jr., and Michael Collins. Buzz Aldrin was second on the moon. Collins orbited in the command module. They broadcast a live videotaping and placed the flag and a plaque which read: "Here men from the planet Earth first set foot on the moon July 1969, A.D. We came in peace for all mankind." They then gathered rocks and soil.
John F. Kennedy had determined to send a man to the moon before the end of the decade. However, by the time the landing was made, Richard Nixon was in office. He sent the astronauts a live message shortly after they landed.
They returned safely to Earth on July 24, 1969.
Some disruptive influences have attempted to undermine the idea that the moon landing was real by claiming that it was a hoax filmed on a set, but all these claims have been debunked, despite continuing controversy over the role of NASA, which has not managed to capitalize on its moon successes.