International Moon Day 2022: Significance, Theme And Why The Day Is Observed On July 20

International Moon Day 2022: Neil Armstrong was the first human to set foot on the Moon as part of the Apollo 11 mission. This was "one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind". 

US astronaut Neil Armstrong (left) was the first person to set foot on the Moon; Buzz Aldrin (right) set foot on the Moon about 20 minutes after Armstrong. The Apollo 11 mission was launched on July 16, 1969.

Source : NASA

International Moon Day is observed on July 20 to commemorate the anniversary of the first landing on the lunar surface by humans. This year, July 20 marks the inaugural celebration of the International Moon Day. 

In 2021, the United Nations (UN) passed a resolution on "International cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space", which states that International Moon Day should be celebrated worldwide on July 20. 

Neil Armstrong was the first human to set foot on the Moon as part of the Apollo 11 mission. This was "one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind". 

On July 20, 1969, Armstrong, who was the mission commander, and Buzz Aldrin, the lunar module pilot, landed the Apollo Lunar Module Eagle on the Moon. 

International Moon Day: History

During the 64th session of the UN-Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS), the Moon Village Association submitted an application requesting the designation of July 20 as International Moon Day. The UN General Assembly approved the proclamation on December 9, 2021.

The Moon Village Association is a non-governmental organisation created in 2017, functions as a permanent global informal forum for governments, academia, industry, and the public interested in the development of the Moon Village, a concept that seeks to transform international cooperation in space exploration and the new approaches for lunar exploration.

International Moon Day: Significance

According to the Moon Village Association, International Moon Day provides an opportunity to increase people's knowledge of the Moon, and sustainable exploration and utilisation of the Moon.

Moon Village Association is celebrating humanity's first steps on the Moon from Huntsville, where the Saturn V rocket for the Apollo 11 mission was developed. 

People will be celebrating International Moon Day at JF Drake State Community and Technical College in Huntsville. 

International Moon Day is celebrated worldwide to appreciate the milestones achieved by different countries in the exploration of the Moon, and also to increase awareness of sustainable Moon exploration and utilisation, according to the UN.

International Moon Day 2022: Theme

The theme for the inaugural celebration of the International Moon Day is 'Lunar Exploration Coordination & Sustainability'. The aim is to educate the public about the importance of sustainable lunar exploration.