Snapshots as NASA, Rice University Mark 60th Anniversary of John F. Kennedy Speech
NASA and Rice University in Houston partnered from Sept. 10-12, 2022, to host multiple events celebrating the 60th anniversary of John F. Kennedy’s historic speech at Rice Stadium, which rallied the nation to land astronauts on the Moon before the end of the decade.
Celebrating 60 years after John F. Kennedy’s speech on the field at Rice Stadium. Credits: NASA/Robert Markowitz
At the flagship event on Sept. 12, the agency commemorated Kennedy’s historic speech with NASA Administrator Bill Nelson serving as the keynote speaker. The program also featured NASA Associate Administrator Bob Cabana; Johnson Space Center Director Vanessa Wyche; NASA astronaut Shannon Walker; Rice University President Reggie DesRoches; Dr. David Alexander, master of ceremonies and director, Rice Space Institute; retired ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Jean-Loup Chrétien; Houston’s youth poet laureate Avalon Hogans; and other space agency and industry officials, dignitaries, and local and national elected officials.
NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) and Rice’s OSTEM collaborated to engage local school districts in many of the activities offered at the main event, with an expected attendance of 5,000 students. The young attendees had the opportunity to learn about spaceflight history and watch the speakers in Rice Stadium.
Interactive and inspiring exhibits from NASA, Space Center Houston, Rice University, and space industry partners provided stunning visuals. While some displays showcased Kennedy’s historic challenge and unprecedented commitment of resources that set a young space agency on the path to achieve the goal with the successful landing of Apollo 11 astronauts on the Moon on July 20, 1969, many were a nod to humankind’s exciting future in Artemis I and forays deeper into the cosmos, like to the Red Planet.
Enjoy snapshots of the day from the flagship event, below.
