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John Kennedy and the Great Space Race

Dallas Turner

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Published in American Moonshot Young Readers Edition: John F Kennedy And The Great Space Race

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The Untold Story of the US and USSR's Rivalry to Conquer the Cosmos

John F. Kennedy Giving A Speech About The Space Race American Moonshot Young Readers Edition: John F Kennedy And The Great Space Race

American Moonshot Young Readers' Edition: John F. Kennedy and the Great Space Race

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	35616 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	262 pages

October 4, 1957, was a day that shook the world. The Soviet Union had just launched Sputnik, the first artificial satellite to orbit the Earth. This event marked the beginning of the Space Race, a competition between the United States and the USSR to be the first to achieve major milestones in space exploration.

The Space Race was more than just a competition for technological supremacy. It was also a battle for hearts and minds. The United States and the USSR were both vying to be seen as the leader of the free world, and each side believed that success in space would give them a major propaganda victory.

John F. Kennedy was elected President of the United States in 1960, and he quickly made the Space Race a top priority. Kennedy believed that the United States needed to catch up to the Soviet Union in space, and he set a goal of landing a man on the Moon before the end of the decade.

Kennedy's goal was ambitious, but it was also achievable. The United States had a strong space program, and Kennedy was determined to provide it with the resources it needed to succeed. He increased funding for NASA, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and he also gave NASA the authority to set its own goals and priorities.

Under Kennedy's leadership, NASA made rapid progress. In 1961, Alan Shepard became the first American to travel into space. In 1962, John Glenn became the first American to orbit the Earth. And in 1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first humans to walk on the Moon.

The United States' victory in the Space Race was a major turning point in the Cold War. It showed the world that the United States was capable of great things, and it helped to restore American pride. Kennedy's role in the Space Race was pivotal. He set the goal, he provided the resources, and he inspired the nation to believe that anything was possible.

Kennedy's Legacy

Kennedy's legacy is complex and multifaceted. He is remembered as a great leader who helped to shape the course of the 20th century. He is also remembered as a flawed man who made some serious mistakes. But there is no doubt that Kennedy was a visionary leader who inspired the nation to reach for the stars.

Kennedy's involvement in the Space Race is a testament to his ambition and his belief in the power of human ingenuity. He set a goal that seemed impossible at the time, but he never gave up on it. And in the end, he achieved his goal and helped to make the world a better place.

American Moonshot Young Readers' Edition: John F. Kennedy and the Great Space Race

4.5 out of 5