July 20, 1969 - Buzz Aldrin Takes Communion on the Moon

The first moon landing was completed on July 20, 1969, by astronaut Buzz Aldrin. However, many are unaware that Aldrin took the Lord’s Supper before he stepped out of the spacecraft. As a presbyterian elder in Houston, TX, Aldrin had his church send a small chalice, wine, and bread with him on his journey (replica pictured). He said to mission control, “This is the LM pilot. I’d like to take this opportunity to ask every person listening in, whoever and wherever they may be, to pause for a moment and contemplate the events of the past few hours and to give thanks in his or her own way.” NASA did not broadcast this, fearing opposition from the rising presence of atheism across the United States.