Legislation sponsored by U.S. Sen. Tim Sheehy (R-MT) with cross-party backing from U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) now proceeds to the U.S. House of Representatives

The U.S. Senate has passed bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Sen. Tim Sheehy (R-MT) with support from U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) to establish July 20 as Lunar Landing Day, a national day of observance honoring the Apollo 11 mission and one of the greatest achievements in American history. Once approved by both Houses, the bill will advance to the President for signing.

The measure commemorates July 20, 1969, when astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first humans to walk on the Moon while Michael Collins orbited in the command module Columbia. Beyond marking a single mission, the bill highlights the vision, ingenuity and determination that secured America's leadership in space exploration and continues to motivate generations of scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs and explorers.

The legislation has gained backing from the four surviving moonwalkers - Buzz Aldrin (Apollo 11), Dave Scott (Apollo 15), Charlie Duke (Apollo 16) and Jack Schmitt (Apollo 17) - as well as former NASA flight directors, astronauts, museum leaders and space advocates across the country. A growing coalition includes supporters in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., along with groups such as The Explorers Club, the National Space Society, the Aldrin Family Foundation and more than 40 museums and science centers.

The legislation arrives as the United States begins a new phase of lunar exploration via NASA's Artemis program, which aims to return astronauts to the Moon and enable future missions deeper into space.

As the nation marks America's 250th anniversary, supporters note that Lunar Landing Day provides a fitting chance to celebrate one of the country's greatest accomplishments while encouraging future generations to pursue science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and careers.

The legislation follows years of effort by the nonpartisan Lunar Landing Day Initiative, founded by Robert Slater, M.D., who has collaborated with astronauts, educators, business leaders, historians, veterans and civic organizations to secure permanent national recognition for the Apollo 11 mission.

"We are deeply grateful to Senators Sheehy and Kelly for their bipartisan leadership," said Slater. "Landing on the Moon was not merely a NASA victory - it was a triumph of American ingenuity, determination and collaboration. Today's Senate passage brings us one step closer to ensuring future generations understand what Americans can achieve when united behind an ambitious goal."

The bill now advances to the U.S. House of Representatives. If approved by the House and signed by the President, July 20 would be observed annually as Lunar Landing Day, a national day of observance - not a federal holiday - encouraging schools, museums, science centers and communities to hold educational programming and civic events celebrating America's legacy of exploration, innovation and discovery.

About the Lunar Landing Day Initiative

The Lunar Landing Day Initiative is a nonpartisan, grassroots effort dedicated to establishing July 20 as Lunar Landing Day, a permanent national day of observance honoring the Apollo 11 mission and inspiring future generations through America's legacy of exploration, innovation and discovery.

SOURCE Lunar Landing Day