5 Things You Need to Know About the Moon Landing

It was 42 years ago today that Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walked on the moon. How much do you know about the 1969 lunar landing? Here are five fun facts.

1. Neil Armstrong gets the glory as the first person to walk on the moon, with Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin Jr. not far behind. But don’t forget about the third crewmember. Michael Collins remained behind in the command module while his subsequently more famous counterparts kicked up moon dust. No hard feelings. “I know that I would be a liar or a fool if I said that I have the best of the three Apollo 11 seats, but I can say with truth and equanimity that I am perfectly satisfied with the one I have,” Collins once said. 2. Apollo 11 completed an eight-day, 953,054-mile journey to the moon and back. That’s equivalent to traveling around the Equator about 38 times. 3. The journey to the moon took about four days. Apollo 11 blasted off at 9:32 a.m. …

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5 Things You Need to Know

Five Things You Need to Know About Memorial Day

From the holiday's founding to efforts to end the three-day weekend, learn more about Memorial Day.

Today, Memorial Day, is one of America’s most solemn observances. We honor the men and women who died serving and defending our country—unlike Veterans Day, the day to honor all veterans. Amid the parades, 21-gun salutes and long weekend trips, how much do you know the holiday? Here are five Memorial Day facts. 1. The sheer carnage of the Civil War, America’s deadliest war, inspired Memorial Day as a way to honor the war dead. The observances originally were called Decoration Day because thankful Americans decorated and cared for soldiers’ graves. “Memorial Day” usage began appearing in 1882, but “Decoration Day” was common until post-World War II. Congress officially changed the name in 1967. 2. This year’s Memorial Day falls on the same …

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