the space race
ali cohen
America vs. Soviet Union
The space race began after world war II. The Soviet Union launched the first successful satellite into space, putting them in the lead. America launched theirs four months after. America wanted to be the first country to make a different accomplishment. America decided to put the first man on the moon. In 1961, Kennedy asked permission from congress to do so; congress agreed and launched the Apollo program. The Soviets soon learned about this plan, and wanted in. They were determined to beat America again. After eight years of training, Apollo 11 was launched to the moon. Along with his first step on the moon, astronaut Neil Armstrong said, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." America finally gets a huge lead in the space race.