“Ever wonder what it felt like to walk on the moon?”
Right here we are at Rue Neil Armstrong in Paris. It is a tribute to a giant leap for mankind. This street commemorates Neil Armstrong. He was the first human to set foot on the moon.
Let’s step back in time to understand the story behind this dedication. In July 1969, the world watched with bated breath as Apollo 11 landed on the moon. Neil Armstrong’s famous words echoed across the globe. “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”
Shortly after this historic event, the Apollo 11 astronauts embarked on a world tour. This tour was called the GIANTSTEP-APOLLO 11 Presidential Goodwill Tour. From September to November 1969, they visited 27 cities in 23 countries. Paris was one of their stops.
On October 8, 1969, the astronauts and their wives arrived in Paris. The U.S. Embassy in Paris believed the visit could sway French intellectuals. Some of them were skeptical of the United States. The embassy hoped the astronauts would be seen as heroes transcending national boundaries.
Not everyone was impressed. Pablo Picasso famously said the moon landing meant nothing to him. Philosopher Herbert Marcuse considered it less important than the events of May 1968.
The astronauts’ day in Paris was packed. They landed at Orly Airport and checked into the Hotel de Crillon. They then visited the Hotel de Ville. There, they received the Vermeil Medal. It is the highest honor the city of Paris can bestow.
Their motorcade proceeded down Rue de Rivoli. Thousands of Parisians lined the street. Later, they met with Prime Minister Jacques Chaban-Delmas. He awarded them the Croix de Chevalier de la Legion d’honneur.
A luncheon followed. Attendees included Concorde test pilot Andre Turcat and oceanographer Jacques Cousteau. The astronauts answered questions from journalists. Armstrong said a trip to Mars was feasible in the near future. One reporter even asked about flying saucers.
The day continued with a visit to President Georges Pompidou at the Elysee Palace. They also gave a press conference at UNESCO. Armstrong named Descartes as his favorite French scientist.
That evening, a reception was held at the Palais de Chaillot. Academic Maurice Druon delivered a speech. He compared the rocket fuel to humanity’s efforts since the Ice Age. Colonel Bernard Duperier presented them with the Grande Medaille d’or de l’Aero-Club de France.
A comical moment occurred when a young actor tried to approach Neil Armstrong for an autograph. Security quickly intervened. The incident was broadcast on television and reported worldwide.
The next day, the Parisian newspaper Le Figaro presented each astronaut with a golden lunar module. Cartier, the famous jeweler, created these works of art. Each module contained a microfilm with the names of contributors. Armstrong later donated his to a museum in his hometown.
Rue Neil Armstrong stands as a reminder of that extraordinary time. It connects the spirit of exploration to the heart of Paris. It is a testament to human achievement. It also acknowledges the universal fascination with space. As you walk along this street, remember the giant leap. Remember the day humanity reached for the stars.