Most of America Opposed the Moon Landing - by Louis Anslow

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Today, the Apollo program is remembered by Americans with pride and reverence, a nostalgic symbol of American exceptionalism. Yet, before that "giant leap for mankind" Americans weren't so enthusiastic… After President Kennedy’s 1961 declaration to put man on the lunar surface by the end of the decade a Gallup poll revealed only 33% supported, compared with 58% opposed: This, despite Alan Shepard Jr. recently becoming the first American in space. Aggregations of opinion polls through the 1960s have shown disapproval of the moon landing was consistently higher than approval. Popular opposition isn’t something you often hear about regarding the Apollo program. It is conveniently missing from America’s collective memory, in lieu of a tale of collective patriotic triumph. A narrative that appeals to Democrats as an example of successful big public programs - and Republicans - as a triumph of the capitalist west against the communist east. The truth is, opposition was a constant, and even c

July 20th, 2025 marks the 56th anniversary of the moon landing. Today, the Apollo program is remembered by Americans with pride and reverence, a nostalgic symbol of American exceptionalism. Yet, before that "giant leap for mankind" Americans weren't so enthusiastic… After President Kennedy’s 1961 declaration to put man on the lunar surface by the end of the decade a Gallup poll revealed only 33% supported, compared with 58% opposed: George Gallup would publish the findings, in an article syndicated in newspapers across the US. This, despite Alan Shepard Jr. recently becoming the first…

Most of America Opposed the Moon Landing - by Louis Anslow

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