资源环境科技发展态势分析平台

17/05/2019

Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin walks on the surface of the moon on July 20, 1969, in a photograph taken by Neil Armstrong.

Ahead of this weekend’s full moon, UK Research and Innovation’s (UKRI’s) Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and the UK Space Agency are asking people across the UK to share their memories of one of the seminal moments in the 20th century - the 1969 Apollo 11 Moon landing - and to tell their stories about how this moment in history has inspired them.

A selection of the submissions to this crowd-sourced history campaign will be curated and shared with the public on 20 July 2019, marking 50 years since Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on the Moon.

The campaign is intended not only to unearth fascinating first-hand memories but to explore how the Moon landings touched almost every aspect of popular culture, from cinema to art, literature to music. For anyone who may not have watched the footage live, there is an opportunity to get involved by sharing their stories about how space exploration has inspired them or led to a career in the sector.

Entries could include a grainy photograph of a family huddled around an early television to watch this iconic moment; a scrapbook of newspaper cuttings from July 1969; or a personal account of how the Moon landing has shaped a work of art or led to a lifelong passion for science fiction.

People will be able to submit their memories and personal stories via moonlandingmemories.com and are being encouraged to share them via social media using the hashtag #moonmemories. Memories and stories can be uploaded over the next month, with the submission deadline falling on Tuesday 18th June.

Professor Barry Smith, Leadership Fellow for Science in Culture at the Arts & Humanities Research Council said

“When Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on the Moon for the first time on the 20 July 1969, the world stopped to watch this history defining moment. It pushed the boundaries of human possibility and led to an incredible explosion in creativity.

“To mark the fiftieth anniversary we want to hear people’s memories of seeing the footage for the first time, but also what the Moon landings meant to them. From a love of space movies to pursuing a career in astronomy, this crowd-sourced history campaign will reflect on this moment’s undeniable role in shaping the world we live in today.”

Science Minister Chris Skidmore said:

“Ahead of the 50th Anniversary of the Moon landing, I hope people across the UK share their Moon memories, ranging from photos to diary entries, to help give us a unique and fascinating insight into one of the most celebrated moments in our history.

“Landing on the Moon was unthinkable at the beginning of the twentieth century, so when Neil Armstrong heralded the moment as, ‘one giant leap for mankind,’ those words rightly have echoed through the ages.

“Through our modern Industrial Strategy, we are backing the UK’s thriving space sector so that the young people inspired by this great event of the past will have opportunities to work in the industry’s highly skilled, well-paid jobs of the future.”

Further information

Read more on the AHRC website