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Remembering 'One Giant Leap For Mankind' 50 Years After The Moon Landing

Astronaut Buzz Aldrin on the surface of the moon during the Apollo 11 mission.
NASA
Astronaut Buzz Aldrin on the surface of the moon during the Apollo 11 mission.

By Robin Sussingham and Stephanie Colombini 

Saturday July 20 marks the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, considered by many to be one of the most significant achievements in U.S. history.

This week on Florida Matters we talk with a filmmaker who produced a documentary about the historic event. 

We discuss what he learned about the moon landing and how space exploration has changed since.

Robert Stone's "Chasing the Moon" is a six-hour documentary airing on PBS this month to mark the anniversary. It chronicles America’s ‘Space Race,’ leading up to the first lunar landing in 1969 and beyond.

Stone wrote, directed and produced the film, which is airing as a three-part series July 8-10 and will run again in time for the anniversary (check your local listings).

Stone describes the film as one that challenges the "conventional mythology" surrounding America's effort to send humans to the moon. He explains why on Florida Matters and provides insight about the politics behind the Space Race and some lesser known stories of people essential to the moon landing’s success.

I cover health care for WUSF and the statewide journalism collaborative Health News Florida. I’m passionate about highlighting community efforts to improve the quality of care in our state and make it more accessible to all Floridians. I’m also committed to holding those in power accountable when they fail to prioritize the health needs of the people they serve.
Robin Sussingham was Senior Editor at WUSF until September 2020.