On this day in 1962—a warm and sunny Texas day—President John F. Kennedy stood before 40,000 spectators in the Rice University Stadium. He laid-out his vision for America's essential leadership in "the space race." "I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to Earth." He added, "We choose to go to the Moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard." His goal (and the speech which inaugurated the campaign) was a challenge to Americans to show the world (and themselves) that the U.S. could do great things—for the benefit of the nation and the citizenry of the world. Kennedy knew that America would rise to his challenge, although many of his political opponents disparaged the idea as folly or a waste of money. The president knew that a "Moon Shot," like this, would spur science and technology and economic development for decades to come.
Sadly, Kennedy would be killed some 14 months later (also in Texas), never having seen the accomplishment of his goal. But the president's death did have the effect of propelling the project—which was, indeed, completed before the end of the decade—and became part of Kennedy's outstanding legacy. Oh for those good old days—when presidents thought big, unified the nation, and considered how they might invest to help the entire human race.
The cast bronze rocketship, shown above, is a stylish and compelling coin bank. Click on the photo above to learn more about it. Click here to learn about the little Rocketman, standing outside his spaceship.
Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we continue to sell Handsome Gifts (www.LEOdesignNYC.com).
To arrange a visit our Pittsburgh showroom (by private appointment only), please call 917-446-4248.