U.S. President Nixon Welcomes the Apollo 11 Astronauts on USS Hornet
“… this is the greatest week in the history of the world since the Creation, because as a result … the world is bigger, infinitely, and also … the world has never been closer together before.” – U.S. President Richard Nixon
On July 24, 1969, Apollo 11 returned to Earth. On arrival to the recovery ship, the USS Hornet, the crew were welcomed back to Earth by U.S. President Richard M. Nixon.
The Astronauts spent years practicing and preparing for every contingency from lift off to splashdown.
The men knew once they reached the recovery ship, the USS Hornet, they were going to spend the next 21 days confined to the Mobile Quarantine Facility (MQF), for medical isolation. It was a precaution against an uncertain threat of contagion.
After eight days of travel, the men showered, changed and opened the curtains on the MQF. Outside the curtains, the world’s media awaited.
