OHQuestions

**Interview subject** - Cathey Ralph (my mom)
 * Topic ** - The Lunar Landing of 1969

1. Can you describe yourself and your overall status in 1969? What was the area around you like? I was eight years old (almost) when Apollo 11 and its crew made their voyage to the moon. It was a pretty typical summer in Cincinnati - hot, humid and muggy. We spent our days riding our bikes to the pool and our nights playing kickball and ghost in the graveyard and catching lightening bugs.

2. Did you have any prior knowledge of the space race or anything involving space before the Lunar Landing? If so, where and from who? Kid my age were aware of the space race and of the government's desire to "beat" the Russians. We weren't sure why, but the Russians were "bad" and we were "good" and science was the key to keeping things that way. My father was an aeronautical engineer turned dentist and as such, had an active interest in everything that flew - planes, rockets and the like. As a WW II veteran, he was also very interested in the military and national security aspects of the space program. He shared his interest, enthusiasm and patriotism with us. Our schools also taught us about space (or what we knew of it at the time!)

3. Was there anything different about the environment of your town the day before the landing? I do not remember anything different about our town. All children were going to be allowed to stay up WAY late to see the landing, I am sure!

4. When and from who did you first hear about the landing? What was your reaction?

5. What was going through your mind watching the landing on the television? My family was camped out in our living room with the window air conditioner blasting (it was July in southern Ohio). My dad had placed the black and white tv on a card table for better viewing. My brothers were 3 and 1 and I do not remember if they were awake or not. We had watched the launch and had followed the mission through the tv news and newspaper. I remember being terribly excited watching the landing and hearing Neil Armstrong's famous quote. I dared not breathe too loud or speak so as to not ruin the wonder for my parents.

6. What was reaction or your family's reaction to the landing? We all cheered. I am sure it was off to bed for us then - or maybe we got to sleep in the air conditioning that night!

7. How did the landing affect the people around you or yourself? The United States?

The moon landing was very significant to people my age. It clearly defined a generation of people. It gave us confidence in our government and it's programs. It led us to dream about the heavens as never before - the moon was real! I think there has been no greater achievement by Americans since that time.

8. Looking back, what is your favorite memory of the moon landing?  Being allowed to have 7 -up on a night when we did not have a babysitter! It was amazing watching history on that black and white tv.

9. Is there any long lasting history of the moon landing in your mind? Those of us who were of age to watch and remember still feel a sense of pride and wonderment when reminded of what our country achieved and what the astronauts, engineers and everyone involved risked to get us there.

10. How has the landing affected you today? It will never cease to amaze me that we put men on the moon with less computing power than my iphone has!