On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin stepped onto the surface of the moon.
This was the direct result of a public declaration made by US President John F Kennedy eight years earlier.
At the time of the announcement, the US was engaged in the Cold War with the Soviet Union. Winning the space race was part of winning that war.
“…I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to the earth. No single space project in this period will be more impressive to mankind, or more important for the long-range exploration of space; and none will be so difficult or expensive to accomplish.”
John F Kennedy, US President.
Excerpt from speech delivered before a joint session of Congress, May 25, 1961
Sources
Original Speech to Congress, full transcript: http://www.jfklibrary.org/Research/Ready-Reference/JFK-Speeches/Special-Message-to-the-Congress-on-Urgent-National-Needs-May-25-1961.aspx
The video at the top of this page is not the original speech. It is an excerpt from JFK’s speech at Rice University.
Full video of the latter speech at Rice University: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouRbkBAOGEw
Geoff’s Comment
All manifestos start as a public declaration.
In this case, JFK had the power and position to commit the resources of a nation to his unreasonable quest. His manifesto inspired thousands of individuals to work toward the same goal.
Questions
What are you setting out to achieve? Do you have the authority to declare this? Who does?
