We Knew Where We Were Going Back Then

9:32 a.m. EDT July 16, 1969. Apollo 11 takes off for the moon.

I was just a little kid, but I knew where our country was going. We were going to the moon. It was just that simple. We knew it was fraught with danger. But we were going for it.

If we asked a kid today where the country was going today, what would they say? Today's kids are focused on the earth and the environment, they're a pretty patriotic bunch, but I don't know what they think about space exploration. My young friend Sam joined the Space Club at his highschool, but he may be unique in his interests (even though he's not facile with science). There's been plenty of recent studies that about the optimism of teens and twentysomethings, but nothing I can find about what kids/tweens are thinking as it relates to the future of the country. Could make a great conversation at the dinner table!

A side note, the Tribune Building's windows feature the newspapers from the days Apollo 11 and a piece of "moon rock." Still amazing to gaze at a piece of the moon!