#ThrowbackThursday – 25 May
From an astronomical announcement to an all-inspiring climb to the top of the world’s most famous peaks, take a look at these three events that went down in history on 25 May:
1961 – To the Moon … One Day
Eight years before Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin took their famous steps on the Moon, US President John F. Kennedy had the task of announcing the then-seemingly impossible goal of putting a man on the Moon in the first place.
In April 1961, the Soviet Union (USSR) had gained one crucial step ahead in the Cold War against their American rivals by launching cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin into space, the first time that a man (specifically, a Russian man) had done so. With this accomplishment in the books, there was no doubt that the USSR were now looking to extend their presence to the Moon and dominate the “space race” entirely.
And doubtlessly, the USA were contemplating doing the same, as made evident by Kennedy’s speech more than a month after Gagarin’s feat.
Speaking before a joint session of the US Congress, the president declared that an American will land safely on the Moon before the end of the decade. He did not deny it would be costly to pull off, but he expressed his reliance on his citizens to support this lofty vision.
“In a very real sense, it will not be one man going to the moon – if we make this judgement affirmatively, it will be an entire nation,” he said in his speech. “For all of us must work to put him there … I have not asked for a single program which did not cause one or all Americans some inconvenience, or some hardship, or some sacrifice.
“But they have responded, and you in the Congress have responded to your duty – and I feel confident in asking today for a similar response to these new and larger demands.”
Through NASA, the goal was finally achieved just five months shy of the decade ending – on 21 July 1969,the Apollo 11 lunar module landed on the Moon, and Armstrong and Aldrin became the first men to set foot on its powdery surface.
1977 – “Star Wars” Hits the Silver Screens
Ah, 25 May. For some, it’s just an ordinary date; for millions of others, it’s the day in which the first entry of the greatest space opera franchise ever made its film debut.
“Star Wars” made its premiere on 25 May at approximately 32 cinemas around North America. Written and directed by George Lucas, it tells the story of good versus evil from a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away: a young man named Luke Skywalker is trained in the arts of the Jedi in order to help a rebel group in their battle against a militant empire that’s hellbent on power and destruction.
He is joined by the likes of Han Solo, a starship pilot and smuggler; Chewbacca, his first mate; Princess Leia, a rebel leader; Obi-Wan Kenobi, a Jedi master who teaches Skywalker the way of the Force … and, of course, the ever-iconic C-3PO and R2D2! The film also introduced Darth Vader, the former apprentice of Kenobi-turned-Sith Lord with a secret of his own.
“Star Wars” was expected to be a flop, particularly by the cast and crew due to the flick’s numerous production difficulties and delays that resulted in its budget running into the millions. Yet upon its initially limited theatrical release, it was a hit among audiences and critics alike. It expanded to more cinemas, and it ended up becoming the #1 film at the box office.
Since then, another 11 “Star Wars” films have been released, with TV shows, comics and games dedicated to the now-pop culture phenomenon. In terms of chronological order, the original flick is the fourth chapter (“Episode IV: A New Hope”) in the series.
So if you want to keep yourself clued up on Skywalker and co’s adventures, its sequels (and prequels, too) simply can’t be missed!
2001 – Blind Ambition Fulfilled
To reach the summit of Mount Everest is a feat that even the most athletic of men and women struggle to accomplish. Only a few can claim to have achieved this – and that includes a blind man hailing from Boulder, Colorado in the USA!
Erik Weihenmayer was 32 when he reached the top of the fearsome summit at 10AM Nepal time. Accompanied by a strong team, he arrived at the base camp in late March. While they waited for the weather to clear, they climbed as high as they could, including the treacherous climb through the notorious Khumbu Icefall.
“My first trip through the Icefall took me thirteen hours,” Weihenmayer wrote in his diary on 10 April. “It’s all jumbly, bumbly ice boulders with holes and slots everywhere, tons of ladders to cross, and lots of vertical steps to climb. It took a lot of intense focus and a lot of intricate communication from my teammates. At first I was intimidated by the idea of crossing the ladders, but it turned out the ladders were the easiest part. They’re the only part of the Icefall which has consistency, enabling me to get into a rhythm.
“Crossing, I lean forward against the ropes and try to click my crampon points precisely onto two rungs. I can feel when it’s a good step. It’s wild in the Icefall, listening to far-away avalanches coming off the Lo La pass.”
Eventually, Weihenmayer prevailed against the elements to accomplish his goal, thus setting a positive, awe-inspiring example for disabled and handicapped folks everywhere, and to prove to them that they have the same capability as an able-bodied person.
