“That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”

These are the famous words spoken by Neil Armstrong, the American astronaut who was the first person to walk on the moon. Armstrong was also an engineer, a pilot and a college professor.

After the Apollo 11 mission, Armstrong said his microphone didn’t pick up the word “a,” so what he actually said was, “That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.”

During Apollo 11, which occurred from July 16, 1969, to July 24, 1969, Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin captured Americans back home.

On July 20, 1969, almost 50 years to the day, Americans watched live as Armstrong stepped onto the moon, with Aldrin to follow. Michael Collins was also part of the mission but did not land.

“Armstrong and Aldrin spent more than two hours outside their spacecraft on the moon,” NASA.gov says. “They collected rocks. After almost a day, they blasted off. They docked with Collins in orbit around the moon. All three then flew back to Earth.”

After Apollo 11, Armstrong retired from NASA. On Aug. 25, 2012, Armstrong died at the age of 82.

Once again, our local libraries continue their summer reading and activity programs.

To honor the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11, many of the libraries in The Press coverage areas are hosting events for all ages to commemorate this special occasion, with a theme titled “A Universe of Stories.”

Below are a few events. Registration is required for most of these events.

Check each library’s website for more information and for additional themed events.

Parkland Community Library, 4422 Walbert Ave., South Whitehall

•Sunsational Sun and Marvelous Moon event (for kindergarten-grade 2), 1 p.m. July 18

•Apollo 11 presentation (for adults), 7 p.m. July 24

•Tinkerlab constellation art (for grades 3-5), 2 p.m. July 30

Whitehall Township Public Library, 3700 Mechanicsville Road

•Sunsational Sun and Marvelous Moon event (for youth), 10 a.m. July 18

•“Apollo 11” movie (for all ages), 1 p.m. July 20

Coplay Public Library, 49 S. Fifth St.

•Lunar landing 50th anniversary party (for all ages), noon July 20

•Astronaut activities (for primary-age students), 3 p.m. Aug. 14

Northampton Area Public Library, 1615 Laubach Ave.

•LED illuminated night skies workshop (for teens), 2 p.m. July 22

•Water rockets activity (for teens), 2 p.m. Aug. 6

Public Library of Catasauqua, 302 Bridge St.

•“Apollo 11” movie (for all ages), 1:30 p.m. July 23

Emmaus Public Library, 11 E. Main St.

•Universe-themed story time (for children and youth), 10:30 a.m. July 23

•Build-your-own space station craft (for children and youth), 10 a.m. Aug. 3

Lower Macungie Library, 3450 Brookside Road

•Galaxy Quest event (for grades 1-3), 10:30 a.m. July 23

•Moon Dust: Not Your Typical Souvenir event (for adults), 6 p.m. July 30

Bethlehem Area Public Library, 11 W. Church St.

•Dogs in Space presentation by Tuckers’ Tales Puppet Theatre (for youth), 6:30 p.m. July 30

Allentown Public Library, 1210 Hamilton St.

• Jeopardy with sci-fi, fantasy, literature and popular culture questions, 3 p.m. July 19

• “Labyrinth” movie 2:30 p.m. July 26

• Star Wars Bingo, 3 p.m. July 26

Thank you to the dedicated staff of and volunteers at our libraries for offering so many fun and educational events.

Stacey Koch

editorial assistant

Whitehall-Coplay Press

Northampton Press

Catasauqua Press