Three astronauts (Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins) made a “Giant Leap” goodwill tour soon after their return from the moon.
Before I write about the “Giant Leap” goodwill tour, I will provide you a significant background. On the 20th of July 1969, Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the moon. While he was descending to the surface of the moon, he said famous words:
That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.
Buzz Aldrin joined him. Both astronauts spent two and one-half hours on the surface, collecting samples, doing experiments, and taking photographs. Meanwhile, Michael Collins was orbiting above the lunar surface in the Columbia spacecraft.
After their return, which took place on the 24th of July 1969, and after being released from a 21-day quarantine, they started a “Giant Leap” goodwill tour. The celebration started in New York. When the reporter asked Neil Armstrong if the titled tour is the most challenging part of their mission, the astronaut replied that, without a doubt, it is a part of their journey for which they were least prepared to handle it. The fact is that during the “Giant Leap” goodwill tour, astronauts were hailed practically all over the world. They were praised, among others, in Mexico City, Buenos Aires, Paris, Ankara, Kinshasa, Tehran, Bombay, Sydney, Seoul, and Tokyo. It was a universal glow that broke down many diverse barriers among nations. It is said that, during the tour, one hundred million people saw astronauts.
Moreover, about twenty-five thousand people could shake hands with one of the astronauts.
I was born in 1985. Thus, I could not celebrate with them. Another curiosity regarding the “Giant Leap” goodwill tour was the fact that 37 days round around the world tour took its toll when several delegation members came down with a virus. Undoubtedly, it was no coronavirus. The doctor of the staff had to even go on television to dispel the rumor that the astronauts had spread a “moon bug.” Like I wrote before, I regret that I had no occasion to take part in the titled tour. Undoubtedly, it was one of the most significant consolidations of nations above the frontiers.
