July 24, 2022
On this date in 1969, in the early morning hours, 8 days, 3 hours, 18 minutes, and 18 seconds after leaving Kennedy Space Center, Apollo 11 Command Module Columbia splashed down into the Pacific Ocean. Later, the astronauts changed into clean flight suits and entered a mobile quarantine facility for two weeks; they also went to the large window at the rear end of the quarantine facility to accept the nation’s congratulations from President Nixon.
President Richard Nixon greeting Apollo 11 astronauts in the Mobile Quarantine Facility after their return to Earth. Image credit: NASA