National Moon Day is July 20th. It commemorates the day in 1969 that Astronauts Neil Armstong and Buzz Aldrin walked on the Moon. It’s the day that Neil Armstrong gave us one of the greatest quotes, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” Initially, Armstrong thought he said, “That’s one small step for a man”, but it was barely audible on the tapes. You can read a transcript of the walk HERE.
That trip to the Moon may not have happened without the vision and persistence of President Kennedy. In his May 25, 1961 speech to Congress, Kennedy expressed a concern that the United States was falling behind the Soviet Union in technology and prestige. He challenged our Nation to put a man on the moon before the end of the decade. Eight years later, on July 16, 1961, Apollo 11 launched from the Kennedy Space Center.
In President Kennedy's speech to Congress, on May 25, 1961, he expressed a concern that the United States was falling behind the Soviet Union in technology and prestige. He challenged the nation to put a man on the moon before the end of the decade. On July 16, 1969, the Apollo 11 launched from the Kennedy Space Center. If you click here, you can see an excerpt of President Kennedy's speech to Congress.
Here is just one suggestion on how you can celebrate Moon Day in your home!
~ Movies and Munchies? Watch Apollo 13 for an exciting night of family fun and education! Maybe even make homemade Moon Pies with the kids beforehand!
Moon Pie Recipe
Yields 2 dozen pies
You will need
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 cup evaporated milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup marshmallow creme
Directions
Preheat oven to 400 F and lightly grease cookie sheet.
In large mixing bowl, cream together 1/2 cup butter or margarine and white sugar. Add egg, evaporated milk, and vanilla. In a separate bowl, mix flour, salt, cocoa powder, baking soda, and baking powder. Add flour mixture slowly to sugar mixture while stirring. Mix until all ingredients are combined.
Drop the dough onto greased cookie sheet by rounded tablespoonfuls. Leave at least 3 inches in between each; dough will spread as it bakes.
Bake for 6 to 8 minutes or until firm when pressed with finger. Allow to cool at least one hour.
In a medium mixing bowl, blend together 1/2 cup butter or margarine, confectioners' sugar, flavored extract, and marshmallow creme. Mix until smooth.
Assemble pies by spreading 1 to 2 tablespoonfuls of filling on flat side of a cookie crust, then covering with flat side of another cookie.
