16 and 17 July--Two Momentous Events in American History

Two very significant events occurred in American history on 16 and 17 July. Stated briefly, here are the events.

On 17 July 1955, Disneyland had its opening day in Anaheim, California. In ensuing years, this event brought amusement parks all over the world, including Disney World in Orlando, Florida, Six Flags near Dallas, Texas, and many other places. Children and adults both thrill at the stories and memories of Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Pluto, Pinnocchio, Peter Pan, Goldilocks and the Seven Dwarfs, Schreck, Carz, Up, and many other tremendous animated cartoons and movies, to say nothing of many fascinating movies produced on the active screen. America is quite different today because of Disneyland.

On 16 July 1969, Apollo 11 lifted off carrying astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins toward the moon. On 20 July 1969, the whole world [an estimated 500 million people] watched on TV as Armstrong and Aldrin became the first human beings to walk on the surface of the moon. The pictures in those days were not very clear, but my whole family stayed up late that night to view that memorable event. 40 years later, digitally re-mastered the images of these pictures so that now people can get a clearer view of what happened on 20 July 1969.

Armstrong reports as a pilot and scientist, the most challenging feat of the journey was landing Apollo 11. Armstrong found a relatively smooth spot, and with just 100 feet to go, he brought EAGLE into final vertical descent, approximate 30 seconds of fuel left. He shut down the engine with approximately 20 seconds' worth of fuel remaining. But for Armstrong himself, the moment of triumph had already come. He keyed his mike and announced, "Houston, Tranquility Base here. The EAGLE has landed."

What a memorable event in American history--for all human history.

God continues to bless people on earth. Two of these people are Walt Disney and Neil Armstrong. Because God has given these people [and thousands of others] with just the right gifts at just the right times, the lives of human beings are better.

YOU may be one of these people God plans to raise up. I pray God will use you in great and surprising ways in YOUR LIFE. Tell me your story. I want to encourage you and support you in every way I can. YOU are and will be a tremendous blessing to many people--in ways yet to happen in history.

John Willis

Armstrong's words echoed around the world and down through history: "one small step for man, one giant step for mankind."