Important Dates of the Space Race

Space Race

Period: Jan 1, 1957 to Dec 31, 1975

Soviets Launch Sputnik

Oct 4, 1957

The theoretical "beginning" to the space race.

JFK Becomes President

Jan 20, 1961

President John F. Kennedy's term

Period: Jan 20, 1961 to Nov 22, 1963

JFK Launches Lunar Landing Program

May 25, 1961

Kennedy announces his support for the Apollo Program and claims that by the end of the following decade a man will land on the moon and return home safely.

NASA Budget Increase

May 25, 1961

Because of Kennedy's speech, NASA got a big upgrade on their budget towards the lunar landing program. It was a near 500% increase.

JFK Assassination

Nov 22, 1963

Lyndon B. Johnson

Nov 22, 1963

President Lyndon B. Johnson's term

Period: Nov 22, 1963 to Jan 20, 1969

Apollo 11 Lands on the Moon

Jul 20, 1969

Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins land safely on the moon, and effectively end the space race.