Moon Day

Moon Day honors Earth’s only natural satellite, which has a profound impact on our planet and life itself. The Moon has been orbiting Earth for approximately 4.5 billion years. Since ancient times, people have seen it as a symbol of magic, mystery, and wonder. July 20 is a perfect day to learn more about this fascinating celestial body.

History

In 1971, U.S. President Richard Nixon officially declared July 20 as Moon Day. This date commemorates the historic Apollo 11 landing in 1969, when astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first humans to walk on the Moon. Following the mission’s success, many states called for the creation of a commemorative holiday. President Nixon supported the initiative, and Moon Day was born.

Interesting Facts About the Moon

• One side of the Moon always faces the Earth due to synchronous rotation.
• The Moon is roughly 400 times smaller than the Sun, but it’s also 400 times closer to Earth—making them appear similar in size from our perspective.
• The Moon’s gravitational pull affects Earth’s oceans, creating tides.
• It formed about 4.5 billion years ago, likely from debris after a Mars-sized object collided with Earth.
• Some trees on Earth grew from seeds that orbited the Moon during the Apollo missions.

How to Take Part

Take time to explore the history and science of the Moon. A great starting point is learning about the Apollo 11 mission. If the sky is clear, use a telescope to observe the Moon’s surface. Share interesting facts on social media using the hashtag #NationalMoonDay.

When is Moon Day in 2025?

Moon Day is observed annually on July 20.

Observations