40 years ago, man stepped onto the moon and forever changed human history.
Widely considered the greatest technological achievement in history, the lunar landing on July 20, 1969 captured the imagination and fired the passions of millions across the globe. It ushered in a new era of exploration and hope, a time of limitless achievement and the promise of expanding mankind’s reach into the stars.
And then, more suddenly than its beginning, it ended in a round of budget cuts. One small step, and then nothing. Sad.
Sure, now we hear talk about NASA returning to the moon, but I’d surmise only because other nations are taking an interest. If Americans won’t, they reason, what’s to stop us.
The west has become complacent, and lost its drive. Other nations are filling the vacuum left by American intrepidity. While I’m sad that it’s not ‘us’ driving forward any more, I am at least happy that someone is.
Never in my lifetime has a man stood on the moon. Sort of like how the Leafs have never won a Stanley Cup in my lifetime. I’ll tell you something though. My money is on an astronaut hoisting a flag on the moon again long before a Leaf captain hoists the silver chalice at the Air Canada Centre.