How well do Americans remember the Apollo 11 mission from 30 years ago?
About 7 out of 10 Americans who are 35 years of age or older say they watched the moon landing on television in July, 1969. Do Americans remember the Apollo program with the same type of glowing terms being used to describe its historical significance today? It appears that some of the hyperbole surrounding the moon effort is not necessarily endorsed by the average American. A July 13-14 poll asked Americans if they agreed with a statement, based on an assertion appearing on the NASA web site, that “the human race accomplished its single greatest technological achievement of all time by landing a man on the moon.” Only 39% agree with this statement. Fifty-nine percent don’t. Presumably, technological developments that have occurred since 1969, including in particular the computer, have stolen some of the moon program’s luster. Neil Armstrong has been very reclusive in the 30 years since his historic first step on the surface of the moon. How well is he remembered? Not nearly as well as
