President Obama welcomed the Apollo XI crew to the White House today to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the 1969 moon landing
On 5 November 1969, RN welcomed the Apollo XI crew on the South Lawn at the conclusion of their international goodwill tour that brought them to twenty-four countries in forty-five days. RN said:
We have noted from the press the magnificent receptions they have received all over the world, in Asia, in Africa, in Latin America, and in Europe. We know that the crowd gathered here on the White House lawn is not as large as some you have seen, but the hearts of the American people are here, and through us, we are trying to indicate to you our appreciation, not only for what you did in your travel to the moon, but also what you did for the cause of peace and better understanding through your travel on this earth.
We have invited our astronauts and their wives to come to the White House, spend the afternoon and the evening, a quiet dinner, and spend the night. We think that after all they have done publicly, it is time that they had an evening by themselves and why not in “everybody’s house,” the White House of the United States of America.
