This Day In History, 1969: Apollo 11 Returns

#OTD in 1969: The #Apollo11 astronauts returned to Earth and were recovered by the USS Hornet after splashing down in the Pacific Ocean, successfully completing their return from the moon. Learn more about the #USNavy's role in the recovery operation - https://t.co/KAdQK9I9hB pic.twitter.com/4iiCXwani7

— U.S. Navy (@USNavy) July 24, 2019

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A historic mission to the Moon came to a successful end 50 years ago today, July 24, 1969 when Apollo 11 splashed down in the Pacific Ocean, about 900 miles from Hawaii.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins were recovered by the crew of the USS Hornet recovery ship, where President Nixon was waiting to greet them. Despite going into quarantine for the next three weeks to avoid the possibility of spreading any lunar microbes, the Apollo 11 crew would be embraced by the world for their heroic feat.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ #Apollo50th #Apollo #Apollo11 #nasa #space #navy⁣⁣ ⁣⁣

A post shared by NASA (@nasa) on Jul 24, 2019 at 3:53pm PDT

Five years later, the final act of Richard Nixon's presidency began to play out: 

Supreme Court, 8-0 (with William Rehnquist recusing himself) , ordered Richard Nixon to surrender Watergate tapes 45 years ago tomorrow: pic.twitter.com/49kMeLBFnH

— Michael Beschloss (@BeschlossDC) July 23, 2019