July 20 Could Soon Be Lunar Landing Day On The National Calendar

The U.S. Senate has unanimously passed the Lunar Landing Day Act, a bipartisan measure that would designate July 20 as Lunar Landing Day in recognition of the first human landing on the Moon.

The legislation was introduced by Sen. Tim Sheehy and co-led by Sens. Mark Kelly of Arizona, Jerry Moran of Kansas and Maria Cantwell of Washington.

“The history of the United States is made up of remarkable feats that expand the boundaries of what is believed to be possible. One such feat occurred on July 20, 1969, when American astronauts became the first humans to set foot on the Moon,” said Sheehy. “As we continue to strengthen America’s space superiority with further innovation and new missions, we remember this incredible moment as one of the greatest achievements of human discovery in history. It is only right that July 20th be designated Lunar Landing Day in observance of America’s space superiority, leadership in exploration, and the individuals who made it possible. I’m grateful to my colleagues for supporting this effort to recognize American greatness and inspire our next generation.”

“On July 20th, 1969, American astronauts landed on the Moon for the first time. It's one of our country’s greatest achievements,” said Kelly. “As NASA’s Artemis program prepares to take us back to the Moon, there's no better time to make sure that legacy is never forgotten. Designating Lunar Landing Day will honor the courage and ingenuity that made Apollo 11 possible, inspire the next generation of explorers, and remind us what we can do as a nation when we all work together.”

“On July 20, 1969, the Apollo 11 moon landing demonstrated what America can accomplish through innovation, determination and leadership,” said Moran. “Designating July 20 as Lunar Landing Day honors one of our nation’s greatest achievements and the individuals who made it possible. As chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee that funds NASA, I look forward to continuing to invest in America’s space program as we work to return Americans to the surface of the Moon once again, building on the legacy of the Apollo program and bolstering U.S. leadership in space exploration.”

If enacted into law, the measure would add July 20 to the list of patriotic and national observances in federal statute. These observances are established by Congress to recognize significant events and contributions in the nation’s history.

The designation would commemorate the Apollo 11 mission, when astronauts first landed on the Moon on July 20, 1969, and encourage educational and commemorative activities related to space exploration and scientific achievement.

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Lunar Landing Day would become the 49th such observance, joining others including Memorial Day, Veterans Day, Constitution Day and Wright Brothers Day.