The Eagle prepares to land: Photo shows Lunar Module ‘Eagle’ photographed from Command Module ‘Columbia’.
The Command Service Module Columbia.
On this day in 1969, Apollo 11 made thirty orbits of the moon which allowed them to view the landing site: the southern Sea of Tranquility, one of the most suitably flat areas. This area had confirmed by the Apollo 10 ‘dress rehearsal’ mission in which the crew captured vital film footage and photos while orbiting the moon.
George Washington (February 22, 1732 – December 14, 1799)
George Washington, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, served as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, then was inaugurated as the first U.S. President on April 30, 1789.
Washington’s legacy as a commander at Valley Forge, Yorktown, and Boston was honored in 1917 when an asteroid was named after him: the 886 Washingtonia asteroid.
General George Washington (left) and French military leader Marquis de Lafayette at Valley Forge during the winter of 1777–78 (AP)
Washington praying at Valley Forge.
A reproduction of Emanuel Leutze’s 1851 oil painting ‘Washington Crossing the Delaware." (Associated Press)
On this day in 1968, two black athletes, Tommie Smith and John Carlos, were suspended by the U.S. Olympic Committee for giving a "black power" salute (above) during a ceremony in Mexico City.
The three scientists shared the Nobel Prize on this day in 1962 for DNA discoveries concerning the molecular structure of nucleic acids and its significance for information transfer in living material.”
On this day in 1914, Germany declared war on Russia at the start of World War I.
‘A Berlin crowd listens as a German officer reads the Kaiser’s order for mobilization on 1st August 1914′.
Adolf Hitler (second from right) presided over the Olympic games as they opened in Berlin on this day in 1936.
African American Jesse Owens was the star of Berlin, becoming the first American in Olympic track and field history to win four gold medals at a single Games. He won the 100-yard dash, the long jump, 200-yard dash and the 4×100-yard relay.
In Warsaw, Poland, an uprising against Nazi occupation began on this day in 1944. The revolt continued until October 2 when Polish forces surrendered.
German Troops set fire to a village in Poland.
Herman Melville (August 1, 1819 – September 28, 1891)
Melville was an American novelist, short story writer, and poet of the American Renaissance period. His best known works include Typee (1846), a romantic account of his experiences in Polynesian life, and his whaling novel Moby-Dick (1851).
MTV made its debut at 12:01am on this day in 1981. The first video to be shown was "Video Killed the Radio Star" by the Buggles.
"Ladies and gentlemen, rock and roll". Those were the words TV audiences heard on August 1, 1981 when a brand new channel called Music Television launched.
Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT), the official United States policy on gays serving in the military was announced by President Bill Clinton (below). It allowed closeted members of the military to serve, while prohibiting those in the military who were openly gay to serve. Prior to “don’t ask, don’t tell,” there had been an outright ban on gays in the military.
Apollo 11 entered lunar orbit on this day in 1969.
Daedalus Crater was one of the sights seen as Apollo 11’s command module passed over the far side of the moon.
Baseball’s career hit leader Pete Rose (left) was sentenced on this day in 1990 to five months in a Federal correctional institution for filing false income-tax returns. The sentence did not permit parole, so Rose would serve the full term.
Peter Edward Rose Sr. also known by his nickname "Charlie Hustle", turned 77 on April 14.
A total 55 countries joined the boycott of the opening ceremony in Moscow which began on this day in 1980.
