Kelly’s Bill to Designate Lunar Landing Day Honoring Apollo 11 Passes Senate Unanimously

This week, the Senate unanimously passed the Lunar Landing Day Act , introduced by retired NASA astronaut and Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Senator Tim Sheehy (R-MT). The legislation designates July 20 th as Lunar Landing Day to recognize America’s leadership in space exploration and science. Senators Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) co-led the bill. “On July 20 th , 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.” “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 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.” Background: On July 20 th , 1969, American astronauts, scientists, and engineers accomplished the seemingly impossible when the Apollo 11 spaceflight landed humans on the Moon for the first time. To recognize this incredible moment in history, the Lunar Landing Day Act designates July 20th as Lunar Landing Day by adding it to the list of patriotic and national observances established by Congress in law that set aside specific time periods to recognize, commemorate, and reflect on individuals, events, and moments of national significance. This legislation encourages proclamations, activities, and educational efforts to commemorate the first successful landing of humans on the Moon on July 20 th , 1969, and inspire the continued leadership of the United States in space exploration and science. If the legislation is enacted, Lunar Landing Day would become the 49 th patriotic and national observance. Existing observances include Constitution Day, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, Wright Brothers Day, and Police Week. This legislation is supported by the Lunar Landing Day coalition. Click here to read the full text of the bill.