Every year, July 20 is International Moon Day, established by UN General Assembly resolution 76/76 in December 2021 in addition to other commemorative space days – on October 4 (the launch of the first Earth satellite by the Soviet Union) and April 12 (the first human flight into space).
The date for the holiday is chosen to mark the anniversary of the first human landing on the Moon in 1969 as part of the «Apollo-11» lunar mission and to promote international cooperation in the sustainable exploration of the Moon, in space exploration and in the peaceful uses of outer space, as well as – as a reminder of the contributions of scientists, engineers, astronauts and other specialists through whose efforts this event became possible.
The Moon Day initiative comes from the United States, where thematic events were first held in 1971, when President Richard Nixon declared July 20 National Moon Landing Day to mark the anniversary of the historic space mission. In subsequent years, this date was celebrated only by astronomy and space enthusiasts. During the 64th session of the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, which took place in August-September 2021, enthusiasts submitted an application to establish International Moon Day. As a result, the UN General Assembly supported this proposal, and the date was set.
Moon – is the only natural satellite of the Earth, the second brightest object in the earth's sky after the Sun. The average distance between the centers of the Earth and the Moon is – 384467 km. According to the most popular version, the Moon appeared a little later than Earth – about 4.5 billion years ago, formed from fragments left after the «Giant collision of Earth and the planet Theia, similar in size to Mars. Today, the Moon is the only extraterrestrial astronomical object visited by humans.
For centuries, people have looked into the sky, reflecting on the origin and secrets of the Moon. Thanks to the invention of the first telescopes, ground-based study of the earth's satellite became possible. With the advent and development of space activity, the Moon became the target of human flights to it, which allowed humans to step on other cosmic bodies in the Universe. As lunar exploration efforts continue today, this date will serve not only as a reminder of the successes of the past, but also as an annual testament to future endeavors.
Since advances in outer space have added a new dimension to human existence and opened up new opportunities to increase his knowledge and improve his life, the UN has set out to use the unique opportunities that space exploration promises for the benefit of all humanity. Back in December 1958, the General Assembly adopted the first ever resolution on the issue of the peaceful uses of outer space, and in 1967 the «Magna Charter for Outer Space» – Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies.
Today, the Office for Outer Space Affairs, part of the UN, is responsible for promoting international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space.
By the way, Moon Day is important not only for space industry specialists and those interested in astrology and astronomy. The Moon plays a big role in the life of the peoples of the Earth. The position of the Moon, its impact on the Earth and earthlings are widely discussed and explored today. The lunar calendar, which is based on the period of change of phases of the Moon, plays an important role in the life of a number of peoples, and someone without «look» on the lunar calendar cannot imagine their everyday life.
The first international celebration of Moon Day in 2022 was held under the motto «Coordination and sustainability of lunar exploration». Thematic events took place in different countries. Since then, the traditions of the holiday include: watching documentaries and reading books about the Moon, projects for its exploration, observing the moon, thematic events in planetariums and space centers, etc. Or you can just look at the moon on this day or night, because it’s so romantic…