Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Retro A to Z Challenge: A – Apollo 11 Landing 1969


Co-Host, Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh, welcomes you to the fifth annual A to Z Challenge!


Apollo 11 - 1969

The Apollo 11 moon landing on July 20, 1969 was one of the most monumental points in our history. Man had finally made the journey and set foot on another surface. “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” And yes, I remember seeing it happen on television. (Anyone else want to admit that?)

1969 fun facts –
*Cost of average house - $15,500. / UK - 4,640. pounds sterling
*Woodstock took place on a New York farm from August 15-17
*The first ATM in the USA was introduced
*The Airplanet was created, predecessor of the Internet
*Monty Python’s Flying Circus debuts
*The Beatles give their last public performance
*The NFL turned fifty

Movies released –
True Grit
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
Easy Rider

Music released –
Beatles – Yellow Submarine

Why is 1969 special?

Because Old Kitty was born that year and in the same month men walked on the moon!

Kitty is the most positive and energetic soul you will find online. She always has a cheery word and is usually responsible for my first laugh of the day. She posts at Ten Lives and Second Chances, featuring photos of her two cats, Charlie and Gumtree.


Ninja News

Thanks for the prayers and words of support last week. Always scary when it’s your parents, but looks like everything will be fine. Missed you guys and I’m glad to be back.

Challenging Destiny by Cherie Colyer is now available on Kindle and to celebrate, Cherie’s throwing a party and giving away fun prizes! See her blog for details. Find Challenging Destiny at Amazon US and Amazon UK.

Hold Still by Lisa Regan is now available!

Krista McLaughlin’s Breathless is available today! Buy it HERE



The IWSG Site is also participating in the Challenge, and we invite members to share their Challenge posts on the Facebook page. (And don’t forget we post on Wednesday.)

And for those into hard rock, Chevelle's latest, La Gargola, releases today.
Been listening to it on iTunes Radio for the last week, and it's amazing!

Movie Review

Muppets Most Wanted
Even more fun than the last one, the film puts the gang on the road in Europe and part of a international heist. It pokes fun at itself and other pop culture references. There’s an incredible cast of cameos and stars, including Tom Hiddleston, James McAvoy, and Ray Liotta. If you grew up with The Muppet Show, you’ll find a lot to enjoy.

What do you remember from 1969? Have you met Old Kitty? Excited about the new books? Seen the new Muppet movie? And are you ready to rock the A to Z Challenge?

203 comments:

1 – 200 of 203   Newer›   Newest»
Anonymous said...

I wish I had been around to see the Moon landing on TV. That must have been mind-blowing, and at the end of such a difficult decade. Really shows what amazing things we can accomplish.

Great post, and the fun facts were a nice touch. Can't wait to read more!

The Pedestrian Writer

Ida Thought said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Ida Thought said...

All I can say is wow that's a lot of info in one post. I now have lots of tabs open. Love the fun facts - the ATM one surprised me

Empty Nest Insider said...

Old Kitty is making me feel really old, as she was barely purring during the first moon landing! I remember watching it on TV in grammar school. The new Muppet movie sounds very cute. Congrats to the authors! Glad your parents are on the mend, Alex!

Julie

Elephant's Child said...

I too watched the moon landing - we even hired a television specially for the event.
A great, action packed post - and I am glad that your parents are better.

Helena said...

I watched the moon landing too, and yes, that means we were all watching history in the making.

My oldest sister took me to see Easy Rider that year, and it pretty much traumatized me, but in another year or two the Woodstock movie would come out, and that flick was fun! I was a massive Richie Havens fan already.

Denise Covey said...

I can remember the moon landing on a flickering b & w tv. How things have changed...

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Alex - I remember the moon landing - so much going on in our lives at that age, also so much, as now, going on around us ..

Cheers and as Denise says haven't times changed .. Hilary

Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com said...

Darnit, Alex, I am so sorry I missed info that you needed prayers/support last week. You're always there for me, and all of us, so I feel extra bad about that. I'm SO glad it looks like your folks will be fine.

I love the retro theme. The most surprising factoid to me is that the Beatles' last performance was in 69. I didn't know it was so long ago. I guess that's because their music lives forever.

xoRobyn

Sheena-kay Graham said...

Latest Muppet movie coming this Wednesday and I plan to see it this month. Also have Transcendence, Captain America, S. Spiderman 2, Noah (maybe) and etc. I could lie about 1969 but I was born in the 80's and I can't time travel. Nice post today, the moon landing will always be historic.

Philip Verghese 'Ariel' said...

Hi Alex,
There you are with the first installment!!! :-)
Hey Apollo is now part of the history, you brought out that well here, but sad to note that there is no link connected to it, pl. provide one so that your new generation readers get some quick info. LOL
Have a good time of blogging ahead.
My computer is in trouble and I too is in trouble LOL
Pl read about that in my first A....
Best
Phil

Fundy Blue said...

Hi Alex! I haven't been up on following posts because I've been on vacation ~ So I'm sorry to hear that you had a scare last week about your parents. And glad they're doing okay. I would have sent you positive tropical vibrations! I do remember the 1969 moon landing. A group of us watched on a snowy, wavy, 12 inch black and white TV. The reception was so poor (We were in a remote part of Cape Breton Island.) we didn't have sound. But it was amazing never-the-less. I went out in the dark and looked at the moon for a long time that night, just trying to grasp that astronauts were on it and wondering what it must be like. 1969 was a very good year for me, one of my favorites. Have a happy week, and I'm sending your those good vibrations!

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

I Love your theme. Would've been great to see the first walk on the moon... That would've been truly amazing.

Sharon Himsl said...

The moon landing, how can I ever forget? Was at work and all of us took turns watching the tube. The world stopped turning for a moment.

ediFanoB said...

Yes, I belong to the group of people who wathed the moon landing on TV. It was three days before my 10th birthday and I will never forget.

Rhonda Albom said...

I do remember watching the moon landing and being amazed. Not too much else, as I was eight. Wonderful theme.

Nilanjana Bose said...

No TV at home in 1969 not even B/W so no didn't watch the moon landing, but vaguely remember the excitement over the headlines.





RaveAir said...

I just watched the Apollo 11's Moon landing and first step on the Moon, because I had never watched before. It looks still incredible achivement...

Monty Python's Flying Circus was awesome series. However not easy to understand or translate the language to a non-navitve English person.

Rachna Chhabria said...

I wasn't born during the moon landing time. Glad to know that your parents' health is okay now, you got me worried wondering what had happened to you. Nice start to the A-Z Challenge, Alex.

Gossip_Grl said...

OMGosh I love your posting today of all things retro! I remember watching the moon landing but will deny my age that year! Amazing facts for 1969! Great start to A to Z!

Sean McLachlan said...

I was born during Woodstock, although not at Woodstock!
Interesting about Airplanet. I'd never heard about it. Do you know a good source of info about this? I'd like to learn more.

Huntress said...

I was listening along with millions of people when Neil Armstrong first stepped on the surface of the moon.

And along with those millions, I turned to my mom and asked, "What did he say?"

Bob Scotney said...

Anyone who watched the moon landing couldn't possibly forget it. !969 we were moving and I was due to start a new job.

Cathy Kennedy said...

I wasn't quite 9-years old when Apollo 11 made that famous landing on the moon. Actually, my memory is really muddy. I don't know, if my parents had TV at the time or what the deal is. I just don't remember watching any of the coverage.

I love learning facts about a period of time. I was a bit surprised to learn that 1969 was the first year ATM was introduced. I didn't know what ATM was for many, many years.

Interesting and fun "A" post for today's challenge. Now following, GFC, LinkyFollowers, and Twitter!

Unknown said...

I remember watching the Apollo moon launch on TV with my family and a huge bowl of popcorn. I was 10 at the time and totally into anything that had to do with space. Good memories and great post Alex.

Anonymous said...

I'm a 70's baby, but I'm fascinated with the 60's. I love the music, movies, and so much else. Also, there were so many interesting shifts and changes in history, too.

Brian Miller said...

huh did not realize the first ATM was introduced then....its also kinda sad what has happened to our space program, considering it inspired the world at one time...

Unknown said...

Happy A to Z Alex, and no, I definitely don't remember the moon landing! :)

Lacey Dearie said...

I was born 11 years too late to see the moon landing...actually probably longer than that. Even if I'd been born in 1969 I'd have been too young to see it, but it's one of those moments in time everyone wishes they had seen.

Jean Katherine Baldridge said...

I was there for the moon landing and it was MAGICAL! My parents and I watched in wonder!
Laterm when I questioned its veracity, my son showed me the Mythbusters episode which proved we could have done it. WE HAD THE RIGHT STUFF!

xox jean

Unknown said...

I watched the moon landing. We were allowed to stay home from school if we owned a TV, which my parents did. Some of our neighbours came over to our place to watch the landing with us. Quite a moving, historical event.

Kyra Lennon said...

Ha, the house prices made me laugh! You can barely buy a garden shed for £4000 now lol!

Mark Means said...

I had only been around for a year by the time 1969 rolled around, but never knew the first ATM came out way back then!

I hadn't heard about your parents, but I'm glad all is well. I'll be keeping you all in my prayers.

I, actually, liked this Muppets movie better than the original. I'm a little miffed about them putting so much focus on this new "Walter" character, though. (Which they touch on in the film, as well)

As always, a lot of info in a small space...well done :)

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Chris, it was amazing.

Thanks, Julie.

Helena, just took the right film.

Denise, on a set with dials!

Robyn, that's all right!

Sheena-kay, you young pup!

Phil, too many links already - sorry!

Fundy, welcome back!

Lynda, sorry you didn't.

Zoltan, I imagine it's difficult to translate!

Sean, my answer to everything - Google it. I also found it on Wikipedia.

Cathy, thanks!

Brian, it is sad.

Jean, good to know we did!

Kyra, knew some of you would appreciate those old prices.

Melissa said...

This is such a cool theme for AtoZ!

I don't remember much from 1969. I was 3.

Cathrina Constantine said...

I barely remember watching The Apollo Moon Walk. The world was glued to their Black and White TV's. I worked at a bank as a teenager and was part of the ATM thing. Never realized it began in 1969?

Optimistic Existentialist said...

I wasn't around in 1969 but the thing I think I most associate with it is Woodstock!

Anonymous said...

You have to ask why 1969 is so special? Well, I was born that year AND I'm a moon baby. (Do you know what that means??)

Getting ready to hop around the A-Z now. What fun!!


Elsie
AJ's wHooligan in the A-Z Challenge

S.A. Larsenッ said...

Cost of the average house in '69 is interesting. Guess my parents paid up. Think they paid 18,000 for their house that year. ;)

Sheri at Writer's Alley

Home of Rebel Writer CREED 2014
Mighty Minion Bureau Team #atozchallenge

Anonymous said...

I remember being a tiny little girl who loved Captain Kangaroo and Romper Room on t.v.

Yes, we're going to rock this Challenge this year! Glad you're back, Alex :)

J.L. Campbell said...

It's just come home to me that technology was that advanced in 1969 the landing was televised. It wouldn't have made sense to me since I was a babe then. :) Congrats to those with new books out.

mshatch said...

I love Old Kitty! She rocks :)

Oh, and I remember Apollo 11 because they brought a television into our classroom so we could watch it. Sadly, I did not appreciate what a momentous occasion it was - but hey, I was just a little 4th grader back then!

Kirsten said...

One of my favorite movies ever is A Walk on the Moon, (and not just because Viggo Mortensen is in it!) but because it features both the moon landing and Woodstock. Amazing that it's been so long since we've done anything as cool as either of those events!
I really like you theme!

Mason Canyon said...

I remember watching the Apollo moon landing with my Dad. I was home from school sick. I have to say 1969 had three of my favorite movies and some great music. Congrats to everyone with new releases out. Haven't met Old Kitty, but she sounds like a fun person to be around.

Alex, great start for the A to Z Challenge.

Birgit said...

The A to Z scares me but I hope I live up to it. I remember the Apollo Landing but you will be sad in how-I was 5 yrs old and watching Bugs Bunny and my brother changed the channel to watch the landing. I was so upset and was screaming at him to change the channel back. H e was trying to tell me that this is a moment in history. As I saw the men walk on the moon I remember saying to my brother..."I don't care I want Bugs Bunny"...Oh well at least I remember. The Muppet Show was my dad's favourite show. He was this strong rough lumber man and he loved the muppets...so do I

Rusty Carl said...

I missed the moon landings myself. But loved your topic! Happy day, Alex.

Brandon Ax said...

Cool to finally be a part of this.

1969 was before me, but some awesome things came from this year.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I vaguely remember seeing the moon landing. Loved the movie Yellow Submarine. Used to have it memorized.

Arlee Bird said...

1969 is the year I graduated from high school so I do have a lot of memories from then though vague. I do recall watching the events of the moon landing and Woodstock on TV. It's all very vague though.

We are really off too a good start sign-up-wise.

Lee
Wrote By Rote
An A to Z Co-host blog


Al Diaz said...

So glad everything is okay now. I like the muppets. They always made me laugh. Dragon gods! You get your thene more complicated each year. Thought you said you would write about mushrooms, hahaha.

Mary Aalgaard said...

I was born in '67, so no, I don't remember much about that year. I didn't know ATMs are that old! Great year for movies. Glad your parent(s) are better. Exciting day as we kick off the challenge!
Play off the Page

Dragon Tails and Scales said...

We saw the landing on the TV at school. I was a little kid so don't remember much of the other memorable stuff.

Thanks for another year of your support of A to Z, Alex.

A Plus!

Jessica Bell said...

I wasn't born unfortunately, but I do LOVE the Beatles! Also, that date just makes me think of a sixty-niner. :D

~Jessica Bell from www.degeneratedictionary.com

Unknown said...

July 20th is my birthday!
I wasn't alive in 69, but I have always enjoyed sharing it with the lunar landing!

Heather M. Gardner said...

ALEX!!!

It's so good to have you back!

What a great way to do the Challenge! You are always so inventive!

1969. Hmmm. I wasn't quite here yet. Close!

The Muppet movie does look fun.

Great start!
Heather

T. Powell Coltrin said...

I remember the moon landing well! I've seen all the movies you've listed.

Great start to A-Z, Alex.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Mark, they did better with this latest film.

Cathrina, I didn't either!

Elsie, that's cool!

MJ, I remember those shows well.

Birgit, that's funny! And who doesn't love the Muppets?

Al, either that or sea kelp!

Thanks, everyone! Will do my best to visit all of you today.

Annalisa Crawford said...

It must have been amazing, everyone joined together watching the moon landing.

Jay Noel said...

What an incredible time in our human history. I get the chills whenever I see footage of the Apollo Landing.

I'm the only Muppets fan in my household, so I might have to just check this out on my own!

Laura S. said...

Hi, Alex. I was not yet born when Neil and Buzz leaped around the moon's surface, but I've always found it fascinating. I think one of the most breathtaking moments had to be seeing the Earth from the moon. I'm sure that was A is for Amazing! :)

Happy A to Z-ing! from Laura Marcella @ Wavy Lines

Bish Denham said...

I definitely remember 1969, being 19 years old at the time. Good and bad times,all of which I survived!

I love that your AtoZ theme revolves around featuring your blogging buddies. I haven't met Old Kitty, but it sounds like I need to go check her out. :)

Shell Flower said...

That was a bit before my time. I love how cheap houses were back then, or I guess it's just inflation. I'll have to check out Kitty's blog. Glad to hear your family will be okay!

Kristin Smith said...

Unfortunately, the moon landing was WAY before my time. :) Not trying to make you feel old or anything... :)

I have met Old Kitty and enjoy reading the latest. Thanks for highlighting her!

Muppets movie? Hmm, I'll have to ask my kids and see if they're interested. My husband is a huge Muppets fan, so I'm sure we'll probably rent it at some point.

So glad everything is okay with your parents! Happy A to Z!

Pat Hatt said...

The moon landing was waaay before my time haha but didn't they fake that anyway? riight.

Wow, wish housing prices were like that now. Need to go back in time and invest in real estate

Jane Westwell said...

1969 sounds like history these days... it's hard to believe we had the technology to do something so huge then. Nothing has even come close since!

Jo said...

I was in Yugoslavia (as it was then) just leaving to come back to England. Heard it on the taxi radio on the way to the airport. Later saw the TV. Taxi radio had Serbian translation which rather overshadowed the English.

Some of those other facts are incredible, it really doesn't seem that long ago.

Congrats to everyone with new books.

Bob/Sally said...

I wasn't around for Apollo, but I remember watching just about every Shuttle mission.

Juliana Haygert said...

$15,500 for a house? Whoa! I know, it was probably expensive at that time, but wow ...

Madeline Mora-Summonte said...

Sorry, Alex, I wasn't around in 1969 - close, but not quite. :)

Love the retro theme! I had no idea the first ATM was introduced in 1969.

Glad to hear the health issues should work out okay.

Madeline @ The Shellshank Redemption
Minion, Capt. Alex's Ninja Minion Army
The 2014 Blogging from A-Z Challenge

Christine Rains said...

Yay for the start of the Challenge! I love these little facts on your post. My son just recently learned the Yellow Submarine but states that blue is still his favorite color! Untethered Realms is in the Challenge this year. It's going to be so much fun!

Crystal Collier said...

Yay for Old Kittie's birth year! Oh, and all that other great stuff too.

I don't know how you make the rounds, Alex, but you are inspiring, you know?

Botanist said...

I remember the moon landing, just. My parents moved the (rather small, b&w) TV to their bedroom so we could watch from the bed rather than get up and move to the living room.

Being a rather impatient young boy, I remember Neil Armstrong seemed to take ages before finally stepping off the ladder and onto the moon.

Rajlakshmi said...

wow you really are a Ninja... so many fun facts there :)

S. L. Hennessy said...

Butch Cassidy, YES! Yellow Submarine, NO. I'm sure many will disagree with me on that one.

But the man on the moon, very nice.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Jay, go and enjoy! Our theater was full of adults.

Bish, no matter what I do, that will always be my theme.

Kristin, too late, I already feel old. And if you're fans, you should go.

Jo, what an interesting place to be!

Crystal, just doing my best.

Botanist, he did take his time.

Tonja said...

I was born in 1968. What I know about 1969, besides the awesome music, is cloth diapers were used and so were Laundromats (which means you had to save the poopy diapers until you went to the Laundromat - super yucky). It's good to be a mom now.

Dean K Miller said...

Let's see...1969. I do remember the moon walk but not much else. I was 9 so I was probably eating boogers and wondering why I had to go to bed when the evening sun was still shining. Loved (still do) Butch and Sundance (think my mom took me.) It might have been a year or so later but we had a push button TV, one where you change the channel with the push buttons versus spinning the dial.

Robin said...

1969... I was all of one year old, so I don't remember much about it. I didn't realize that The Beatles quit performing live that year. Didn't they go on to make more albums? Maybe I am wrong about that. Hmm.

I will check out Old Kitty's blog.

I love your theme. Great idea!

Charles Gramlich said...

I did indeed watch the moon landing. i must have been still inside my mom's womb given how young I am. :)

Maurice Mitchell said...

That was a fascinating year Alex! Any year that brings us the ATM and Monty Python is worth noting.

L.G. Keltner said...

I wish I could have seen the moon landing! Perhaps I will build a time machine and hop on back to see it happen! My dad graduated high school in 1969, and my mom started kindergarten that year as well. No wonder I didn't exist yet.

Leovi said...

Go memories of my childhood! I remember watching him on TV a neighbor! In my house we had no TV!

River Fairchild said...

Airplanet? I had no idea...
Yes, I'll admit I saw the launch. :) Of course, I did! I wanted to live on a space station. I wish they'd hurry up and build the thing (the huge wheel kind with 20,000 people on it) because my bags are packed.
I'm glad your parents are well. It's always a scary thing to go through.

River Fairchild – A to Z Challenge, a Jeremy's Angels Co-Host Minion
Seasoned With Words

Cassie Mae said...

I take it I will be learning a butt load from your A to Z posts :)

Unknown said...

Wait a minute! Old Kitty was born in '69, but I'm old enough to remember seeing Apollo 11 on TV. So does that make me Ancient Lexa Cain? lol

Congrats to Cherie, Lisa, and Krista!

randi lee said...

A bit of a pup so I wasn't around for the moon landing, but I will say some great things came out of '69, especially Yellow Submarine!!

cleemckenzie said...

1969! That is a year to remember. Kennedy's daring space program pays off, Monty Python makes an entry and everyone falls in love with Robert Redford.

I love Charlie and Gumdrop. They always make me happy when I visit Old Kitty.

Tony Laplume said...

Good year. I think you covered most of what was good about it pretty well. I have no memories of it myself, as I was eleven years away from being born. Kind of puts a handicap on it.

I'm also a huge Muppets fan. Looking forward to seeing the new one.

Michelle Wallace said...

I was around in 1969 but we didn't have TV back then. It only came to us in 1976. But the news was all over the radio.
Glad to hear that your parents are better...

farawayeyes said...

I'll admit to that.

Didn't realize that the Beatles gave it up that long ago, nor that those three movies all came out in the same year.

Anonymous said...

Ahhhhh Old Kitty sounds wonderful!
And yeah, I have to agree, 1969 is awesome! I was born that year too! But a few weeks after man stepped on the moon! :) Thanks for the stroll back in time. It's wonderful to remember what happened in my birth year!

Jamie Dement (LadyJai)
My A to Z
Caring for My Veteran

Karen Jones Gowen said...

I very vividly remember the Apollo Landing, sure takes me back!

Anonymous said...

Great opening. I was getting asked to leave school, but got to watch landing. Great piece of historical TV, along with Monty Python's Flying Circus. Teenage memories to savour.

Lynda Dietz said...

I grew up in Apollo, PA, so the moon landings were always a cause for parades, parties, and of course gathering around the TV.

Love the fun facts...the ATM one really surprised me.

Looking forward to the rest of April!

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

1969. I remember it fondly. And that's a big deal because I remember little of the 90s. Raising teenagers. Anyway, I digress. 1969 was just yesterday., right? Feels like it.

Gregg Metcalf said...

What a great post for A! Interesting facts and great to remember the moon landing. Didn't know ATM's came out in 69' Thanks!

Frankie Miller said...

I remember watching the moon landing on TV. 1969 was a really good year.
I'm pleased your parents are all right now, Alex.
If only I could rock!

Andrew Leon said...

When my parents bought our first house in, I don't know, 75? it was around that much. It kind of makes my head hurt to think of the price difference, now.

Anonymous said...

1969 - a tiny bit before my time, but I've seen all those movies.

D.G. Hudson said...

Great start to the A to Z, Alex. And I never admit anything, it's safer that way. . .

I want NASA excitement again. I visited Cape Canaveral on Merritt Island (the old name) in 2005 with kids. We loved it. Took the upclose tour so we got to see the launch control room and the closest you can get to the launch pad. Didn't see a launch tho, weather wasn't right.

Michael Offutt, Phantom Reader said...

The moon landing happened a little before my time. But I'm glad to hear that things are good with your parents.

Tyrean Martinson said...

Great post n 1969 from the Moon Landing to Old Kitty! :)
I'm glad your parents are ok.

David P. King said...

Perfect way to start the challenge! Gotta love the Apollo missions. :)

Li said...

Yep, I saw the moon landing. My Dad took pictures of the TV screen! I was too young for Monty Python though - I had to wait until I was old enough to babysit and stay up late. :-)

Cathy Olliffe-Webster said...

Wait a minute. Old Kitty was born in 1969? I was born in 1960... which makes me OLDER. Guess I'll start calling myself Older Kitty, then. Sigh.

I definitely remember Apollo 11! It was a HUGE deal!

jaybird said...

I had no idea ATM's were around that long! Great facts and theme. I am really looking forward to seeing what trivia you come up with for the rest of this challenge!

*So happy all is well now with the health of your parents!

SpacerGuy said...

I remember watching Miss Piggy karate chopping Kermit, poor froggy! She really enjoyed being mean. Cool choice for A.

Cherie Colyer said...

Loved the fun facts from 1969. I'm still amazed at the cost of the average home. Thanks for mentioning my release party!

Tina said...

Well, I was 4 in 1969...so I don't remember the moon landing, but I do remember the birthday card my American Grandma Vivian sent me. It was in the shape of the number 4 and I found it the most amazing thing. It's my earliest memory.
I love your theme and can't wait to read more retro stuff. Betting Jeremy is proud of you!
Tina @ Life is Good
A to Z Team @ Blogging From A to Z April Challenge 2014

CA Heaven said...

Regarding the moon-landing in 1969: Have you heard that joke about "Good luck Mr Gorsky"?

And both Easy Rider and Yellow Submarine were good releases from 69 >:)

Cold As Heaven

SK Anthony said...

I was born way after that...but love that you were able to watch history in the making. Great fun facts too, I did know about the ATM but then I used to work in the banking industry...so it's almost cheating lol

Haven't seen the new Muppet movie yet, love the cameos ;)

Roland D. Yeomans said...

I like reading the Travis McGee series and Steinbeck's TRAVELS WITH CHARLEY because they are like traveling in a time machine to the era of the sixties.

All of us each day watch history in the making without realizing it! Great intro post! Thanks for visiting mine. :-)

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Tonja, that's disgusting...

Dean, but those dials were fun to spin...

Maurice, you got that right!

River, have you signed up to go into space? Only $250,000.

Lexa, no, because it would make us both ancient.

Tony, you'll enjoy it.

Joylene, it keeps getting farther away...

DG, it won't be NASA, but we're starting to send things into space again.

Cathy, you're not old.

Spacerguy, that would be the pork chop!

Tina, I let him know my theme early and he thought it was cool.

Thanks, everyone!

Notes Along the Way with Mary Montague Sikes said...

I so wish we had continued with journeys to the moon. All that money spent on wars would have found a far better use with moon exploration!

Mary Montague Sikes

Unknown said...

Holy cow! $15k for a house? Far cry from today, for sure!

A to Z: deborahdera.com & writingforpeanuts.com

mooderino said...

I think we're due an exciting space related event to all get behind. Mars anyone?

mood
Moody Writing

Chrys Fey said...

A retro A to Z? Yes, please! :D Now I wish I could travel back to 1969 to experience all of this first hand as an adult. Excellent post, Alex! :)

Jan Morrison said...

I saw the moon landing. I was pregnant with my first child, a mere child myself, and the world was a big exciting playground! Thanks for the memory...

Suzanne Furness said...

I was 3 in 1969 so don't actually remember the day but can imagine how awesome it would have been to see.
Glad things seem to have settled for your family.

Cherie Reich said...

It's neat learning more about 1969, especially the prices. I wish we could go back to them. LOL!

Untethered Realms

Yolanda Renée said...

My dad bought a house in 1969 for $19,000 - amazing.

Love the nostalgia of your post!

So glad to hear things are better!

kjmckendry said...

I wasn't quite born yet, but I would have loved to see the moon landing. '69 must have been an interesting year to be alive. Thanks for all the cool facts, great theme! Glad your family is okay.

Tara Tyler said...

cool tidbits from '69! (i was born the year before)
i'm doing krista's blog hop tomorrow... why not!

and i'm looking forward to the muppets, glad it didn't disappoint!

happy a day!

Mark said...

Wow, where to being? I love Butch and Sundance! As for Apollo 11 it makes me glad and sad all at once. I'm born in 1983, so I missed the moon landings, but have always been an avid fan of NASA. However, after years of sci-fi novels, I'm really lamenting the fact that we'll never get back to the moon or go to Mars in my lifetime. It really bums me out...

Susan Kane said...

I graduated from H.S., watched the moon landing, read about Woodstock,stayed at my brother's house in Dixon IL, worked hard as a waitress making $1 an hour and had to hand over $2 a week for any food we might had eaten, went to college in the fall,felt like I was breathing fresh air...

Julie Flanders said...

So glad to hear it looks like your parents will be okay! Here's hoping you don't have any more scares for a long time.

I never would have guessed that ATMs were introduced in 1969. I would have thought the late 70s or early 80s. And Old Kitty has such adorable kitties! :)

Anonymous said...

No, Alex. You can't be that old. No way! but then again... I don't know what you look like... Still, really? I feel young now.

~Patricia Lynne~
Story Dam
Patricia Lynne, YA Author

Liz Blocker said...

Oh how I wish I could have bought a house in 1969...!!

Anonymous said...

I did not watch the moon landing, for the very simple (and perhaps surprising) reason that Interior Alaska did not have a live TV hookup then. Anchorage arranged a special satellite hookup at a considerable fee, and there were charters going to Anchorage to watch it, but as a lowly graduate student I couldn't afford it so only listened to the radio. The tapes were flown up from Anchorage that evening, but they only showed the first 15 minutes which as I recall were mostly conversation between the lander and Earth, before the door was even opened.

Fe said...

I think I've already told you, Alex, this topic is fantastic. I love 'what happened in...'

I remember that first moon landing. I was studying for my mid-year exams for the final year at school. We call that our matric year here in South Africa and our school years run from mid-January to mid-December and then schools close for our summer holidays which coincide with Christmas.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Mary, some private company is planning a trip to the moon soon.

Moody, I'd cheer for a Mars landing.

Tara, go and enjoy Muppets!

Mark, our government won't, but private businesses will.

Susan, you were busy!

Patricia, I'm really that old...

Home, at least you heard it on the radio. Now the feed would be all over the Internet.

Fe, glad you like it, and wow you look young!

Doreen McGettigan said...

I do remember the landing and will never forget getting in trouble for saying it looked fake.
I am looking forward to meeting old kitty.
doreenmcgettigan.com
I'm so happy everything is working out. I will say a few extra prayers...

A Daft Scots Lass said...

I'm dying to see that Muppet movie...and I would've given my left arm to be at Woodstock, Ninjalex

Unknown said...

1969 was a good year indeed. Without the Pythons my life would have no meaning :)

Masquerade Crew said...

Some interesting facts. Well before my time, but I'm familiar with some of it because of my parents.

Stopping by for the A to Z Challenge. We are highlighting amazing authors this month. Check us out HERE.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I also saw the moon walk live. It was incredible. I had no idea ATMs were around in 1969.

Rachel Schieffelbein said...

Can't say I saw the landing, but I wish I had! What an amazing moment to witness. :)
I kind of want to see the Muppet movie just because it looks like such a fun cast.

Elizabeth Seckman said...

I was born in August 1969. Old Kitty and I share a birth year!! It was a month before my time.

I don't remember seeing an ATM (we had OWLS, so I drive my kids crazy by still calling them OWLs) until the 1980's. Things catch on slowly in small towns.

Carrie-Anne said...

1969 was 10 years before I existed, though it would've been a groovy year to live through. My ex actually thinks the Moon landing could've been faked, no matter how much evidence there is that it was as real as they come.

Sherry Ellis said...

I just missed the landing on the moon. That would've been really cool to see, though, when it happened!

Kathryn Thornton said...

My father in law worked at NASA for that and 5 other missions so I have a lot of great photos and memorabilia but I am just a bit to young to have seen it in person.

Happy to be running with the bulls in my second challenge!

Karen Lange said...

I have met Old Kitty (well, online anyway) and she's anything but old in my opinion. She is a sweetheart!

Glad your parents are doing okay. You and your family were in my thoughts and prayers.

As for 1969, I remember when they landed on the moon. It was my Dad's birthday and he had the day off. I had just turned 8 and remember us watching TV and talking about this milestone.

Bevimus said...

Happy A to Z launch! Of all the op culture references I wish I had been there for, seeing the moon landing on television probably tops the list. It seems like that event instilled an entire generation with the belief that anything really could happen.

I don't know how I've never encountered Old Kitty before- I will have to check her out immediately.

Big congrats to Cherie, Lisa and Krista!

Old Kitty said...

Awwwwwwwwwww!!!!!!! Awwww shucks *blushes bright red and flutters eyelids and does that finger thing on table and looks all coy*! Awwwwwwwwwww!!!

Cap'n Ninja!!

Am speechless!!! *Swoons ever so lady like on a bed of crushed roses - or roses about to be crushed by curvaceous weight!* Ahem.
:-)

Take care
x

Unknown said...

I actually saw that at the Air and Space Museum in Washington-looked like glorified tinfoil. Those guys had nerves of steel to go up to space in that thing. So glad to hear everything is going to be okay with your parents.

Ella said...

I will admit it! Then we rode our bikes into the wide blue yonder-April Fool! No, really I remember seeing it on TV. My dad said, "This is history. Are you watching this?"
I was!

Happy A-Z! I will be by to see what you share-great theme Captain-

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Thanks, Doreen.

Lass, I bet you would!

Rachel, it is!

Elizabeth, never heard of an OWL.

Kat, that is really awesome!

Kitty, you are most welcome!!

Melanie, it's a miracle they made it.

Ella, you and ET!

Mel Chesley said...

Woohoo! Happy A-Z launch day! Love the fun facts. :D

J.H. Moncrieff said...

I'm totally ready to rock it, Alex! Thanks for co-hosting another challenge.

As a history buff, I really like your theme. It's hard to believe ATMs were introduced that long ago!

Now I have to ask, since you posted this…what do you think of the moon landing conspiracy theory?

Stephen Tremp said...

Great flashback, although I was in second grade. I do remember landing on the moon as we all sat criss cross appleasauce and watched events unfold on TV.

Jai Joshi said...

I'm so glad to hear that your parents will be OK. I'm sending best wishes for a speeedy recovery.

1969 and Yellow Submarine... ah, that's what I'm talking about.

Jai

Jai Joshi said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Cate Masters said...

Great to hear your parents will be fine.

The Angry Lurker said...

I never knew the NFL started in 1919!

ilima said...

This is going to be such a fun theme! I wasn't born yet in '69, but my brother-in-law was born in '69 TODAY, April 1st. No joke. ;)

Ellie Garratt said...

Go, Old Kitty. She's like a shining star.

£4640 for a house?! Wow.

Michael Di Gesu said...

HEY, ALEX!

You met I remember the 1969 launch... I was sitting in a STEAMY living room in one of NYC hottest July's... watching it on a Black and white console TV at my grandmother's house. LOL//

Houses were only 15k... Geez!

All the best to our blogger friends and their new books!

HAPPY A-Z!!!!

Donna K. Weaver said...

Ah, 1969. A wonderful year for me as a teen and a devastating one too, as that's the year my mom died.

I remember being at the airport with a family friend who was returning home and watching the landing.

Loni Townsend said...

Apollo 11 was a decade+ before my time. The nostalgia behind it almost makes me sad that we live in a world with viral information and recording devices. There's not much crowding around the TV screen in my household anymore.

Good start with the letter A!

The Happy Whisk said...

Alex, I haven't been reading blogger that much recently, so I missed what happened with your parents/parent. Hope all is well, going back on your other posts to catch-up.

Cheers and boogie boogie.

Anonymous said...

Funny that I found your A to Z post moments after I saw someone post this link on Facebook

http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/dark-side-of-the-moon/

Haven't watched it yet, but always up for a good discussion. I was only 3, so ... no first hand experience to share.

My son just asked to go see the Muppet movie - we love Muppets around our house!

Look forward to learning more (ATM bit was really interesting!)

Jemi Fraser said...

I should remember the moon landing, but I don't. Not sure if we had a TV at that point. Well that's my excuse anyway :) Old Kitty is Fabulous!!! Love her :)

Patricia Stoltey said...

Ah, yes, I remember watching the moon landing. I was married with two kids by then, so that probably makes me one of your most senior followers. :D

Vikas Khair said...

Wow such wonderful nuggets from history and yes the moon landing Alas I wasn't born then .. very late in 1982.

My contribution for A-Z

Story Teller

http://vikaskhair.blogspot.com/2014/04/paths-to-death-for-accident.html

http://vikaskhair.blogspot.com/2014/04/paths-to-death-b-for-bullets.html

My Third Eye

http://cameramythirdeye.blogspot.com/2014/04/a-for-amusement-park.html

http://cameramythirdeye.blogspot.com/2014/04/b-for-books.html

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Holli, glad you like it. And I do believe it really happened.

Fran, it's been around awhile! The Chicago Bears were one of the first teams.

Ilima, he's an April Fool's baby!

Donna, I'm sorry.

Thanks, Ivy. My father's doing much better.

Walkers, what are the odds? Go see the Muppets and enjoy.

Patricia, it makes you a wise follower!

Thanks, guys! Still making the rounds...

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Ava Quinn said...

I'm definitely on board for seeing the new Muppet Movie. And it sounds like I should definitely go check out Old Kitty. STAT!

J E Oneil said...

What do I remember from 1969? Uhhh...kind of nothing, as I was negative seventeen years old.

Happy A-to-Z-ing.

Kathe W. said...

Yes! I am old enough to have seen the Apollo on TV! Cheers!

Kathe W. said...

Yes! I am old enough to have seen the Apollo on TV! Cheers!

Carrie Butler said...

1. Great start to the Challenge! I think I'm going to really enjoy your theme.

2. I love Chevelle!

3. I am very glad to hear your father is doing better. :)

Unknown said...

The Apollo 11 landing happened on the day I was born. 1969 was a great year. Loved reading your post!

Intangible Hearts said...

Hello, I remember the mood landing but don't tell anyone. Oh, and one of my favorite songs came out that year by Sonny and Cher. "I Got You, Babe" So schmalzty and wonderful too.

Wendy Tyler Ryan said...

I saw Butch Cassidy 8 times in the theatre when I was a kid! Doesn't feel that long ago!

Mina Burrows said...

"We all live in the yellow submarine!" Can't get that out of my head now. *sigh* Great post!

Gwen Gardner said...

Hehe, I was 9 when we landed on the moon and I watched it on TV. ATM's came out in 1969? Whoah, I did not know that. Lovely seeing you again, Alex! How all's well with the parents?

Timothy S. Brannan said...

I was born in 1969 so I don't remember all that much!

Glad to be part of the challenge!

--
Timothy S. Brannan
The Other Side, April Blog Challenge: The A to Z of Witches

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Ava, she's an awesome friend.

JE, you could be my daughter. Scary.

Carrie, you rock!!!

Renee, wow!

Eve, did you enjoy Groundhog Day since that song was int he movie?

Gwen, father's doing much better now! And good to hear from you.

Thanks, everyone!

Dara said...

For the trivia lover, though it's more weird fact that trivia, about ATMs:

It seems people in the Milwaukee, WI area will often refer to ATMs as TYME (pronounced time) machines, which stands for "Take Your Money Everywhere." Know how much fun it can be when someone asks you where the nearest time machine is?

Dara the Writer

Trisha said...

Sorry I missed the news about your parents! Will have to backtrack & get more info.

Happy A to Z beginning!

I never realised 1969 was such an eventful year! :)

Angela Brown said...

1969 was a great year. Kind of makes me wonder what 2069 will have in store. Barely half a century has gone by and we've made technological advancements by ridiculous leaps and bounds.

Cathy Keaton said...

I envy people who can remember the Apollo moon landing. I can only hope I'll still be around when man lands on Mars! Now, THAT would be epic.... :D

DMS said...

I wasn't alive in 1969 (born only a few years later), but I love music from that time period and I have always been fascinated by the moon landing (and space travel in general).

I need to see the new Muppets movie! :) Thanks for sharing!
~Jess

Kelly Polark said...

I will have to check out Chevelle's latest! They are from the town next to mine! (though I've never met them!)

Also, I hate to say I didn't love the new Muppets movie. I liked the first one though!

Kimberly said...

It always amazes me that we landed on the moon that many years ago. I haven't seen the muppets yet. :)

Anonymous said...

I remember the Apollo! I was 7 years old and my parents had a big Moon Landing Watch Party. Everyone was glued to the TV. It was also the first time I ever tasted whiskey: I picked up a glass of one of the party guests' thinking it was ginger ale. Funny how stupid little memories like that pop up when you bring up anything Retro! I'm so looking forward to your Retro theme. I'm a retro girl all the way... :)

DarcNina said...

I'll keep it short, you've got plenty of great stuff going on here! I'm a complete science geek, and a huge Monty Python fan - thank you for the 1969 memories. :)

Nicole said...

Thanks for the 1969 trivia! Wouldn't have guessed both True Grit and Butch Cassidy came out that year.

Pat Tillett said...

You read this when I posted it Alex, but I can't think of a better way to express my feelings on most of 1969.

I Remember the Night...

When Neil Armstrong quipped
"That's one small step for man"
"One giant leap for mankind"
I was crouched in a muddy ditch
In a steamy jungle
In southeast Asia
Trying not to get killed
By small Asian men
Who didn't give a crap
About the moon
Or Neil Armstrong

Julia Phillips Smith said...

I was just a wee tot in 1969, but I do remember watching the moon landing on TV, and even more freaky to me was having our black and white TV on when our new color TV was brought into the living room, and a Capt Crunch commercial was on both screens -- one black and white, one color. Can totally see it now.

Very excited to be doing my fourth A to Z this year!

Unknown said...

Hi Ninja Captain! I do vaguely remember the landing. I was going on four I think. :) I knew it was something huge; I wish I could remember details. Although I'm not able to participate in this year's A to Z Challenge, I'm proudly displaying my Supporter Badge and will be hopping along blogs galore throughout the month. Have fun and enjoy! Lily - Eva

Krista McLaughlin said...

I would have LOVED to see the moon landing! I'm still hoping us normal people can live on the moon someday, in a special dome of course. :)

Thanks so much for sharing about my book release today! :)

Kevyn Knox said...

Glad to be part of all the AtoZing fun and hoopla.

See ya 'round the web. All Things Kevyn

Unknown said...

I'm glad all is well and yes, I have met Old Kitty, she rocks!

Anonymous said...

Of course I remember 1969 - that July I had just graduated from high school, and the lunar landing was definitely celebrated in our household. (In fact my L post mentions it!) And Woodstock - what a time that was to be moving into adulthood - scary and exciting. I'm headed over to meet
Old Kitty now!

Unknown said...

Dang - I wasn't born till '75! Looks like I missed out on a lot of good stuff. What are your thoughts on the conspiracy theory which claims the moon landing never took place? I have one friend who swears the whole thing was a cover-up, and we just talked about it recently, so it was fun to see you mention it here.

Anonymous said...

I was too young to remember the moon landing. The fact we didn't have a TV and I also being from the UK didn't help.
Great post though, really enjoying my 1st A to Z Challenge and meeting such talented people on my journey. :)

Unknown said...

1969 is my year, too! What a great theme you got going on this year. Can't wait to read more.

Laura Clipson said...

Unfortunately the moon landing was before my time, but I bet it was amazing to see.

Unknown said...

The Summer of 69, huh? : )

Must have been a good year!

T.xx

ps thanks for stopping by my blog again!!! I've been so bad at posting, it's embarrassing...

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