Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the moon landing @ the Library

Nassau County Library System
Submitted by Janet W. Loveless
Assistant Library Director
June 5, 2019 11:30 a.m.

Join the celebration of the first lunar landing at the Hilliard, Fernandina Beach and Callahan Library Branches. In partnership with PBS and as part of the PBS American Experience series, view a sneak peek of the new documentary, “Chasing the Moon.”

The film is to premiere on Monday-Wednesday, July 8th – 10, 9 pm – 11 pm on PBS. “Chasing the Moon” was written, produced and directed by Academy Award nominee, Robert Stone. It covers the space race, from its earliest beginnings to the monumental achievement of the first lunar landing in 1969 and beyond. The documentary tells a familiar story in an entirely new way. The film reveals, that the drive to land a man on the moon was fueled as much by politics as it was by science and technology and was a controversial undertaking during a volatile time.

Included in “Chasing the Moon” is a visual feast of lost or overlooked material. The film features interviews of astronauts, Buzz Aldrin, Frank Borman, and Bill Anders; Freeman Dyson, the renowned futurist and theoretical physicist; Sergei Khrushchev, rocket engineer, who played a prominent role in the Soviet space program; Poppy Northcutt, the 25 year old mathematics whiz, who gained worldwide attention as the first woman to serve in NASA’s all male Mission Control; and Ed Dwight, the Air Force pilot selected by the Kennedy administration to train as America’s first black astronaut. “Chasing the Moon” explores the unbelievably complex challenges that NASA was able to overcome. A free showing of clips from the film will be shown at the following library branches:

Hilliard Branch Library: Thursday, June 20th at 6:30 pm

Fernandina Beach Branch: Thursday, June 27th at 6:30 pm

Clip: Magnificent Desolation, which covers 1969-1970, takes Americans to the moon and back. Dreams of space dramatically intersect with dreams of democracy on American soil, raising the questions of national priorities and national identity. Also, considers what happens to scientific and engineering programs, and the country, after ambitious national goals have been achieved. Viewing time: 38 minutes

Callahan Branch: Tuesday, July 2 at 6:30 pm

Clip: Earthrise covers 1964-1968, four heady, dangerous years in history of the space race focusing on the events surrounding the Apollo 1 and Apollo 8 missions. As Americans moved through the 60’s and reflect on the challenges ahead, many begin to wonder: What exactly is it going to take to beat the Soviets to the moon? Viewing time: 35 minutes.

All viewings are free and open to the public. For more information, please contact your local library branch or visit the library website: www.nassaureads.com Seating is based on a first come first serve basis.

Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in order to participate in this program or activity should contact (904) 548-4660 or the Florida Relay Service at (800) 955-8770(v) or (800) 955-8771 (TDD) at least seventy-two (72) hours in advance to request such accommodations.