SPIRIT OF APOLLO: COMMEMORATING APOLLO 8 50TH ANNIVERSARY (NASM), Dec 11, 2018, DC, 8:00 pm ET (webcast)

The National Air and Space Museum (NASM) will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 8 mission — the first human spaceflight to orbit the Moon — on December 11, 2018 at 8:00 pm ET at the Washington National Cathedral.

The event is free and open to the public, but tickets in advance are required.  [UPDATE, DEC. 9 — THE EVENT IS SOLD OUT.]  More information and a link to get tickets are on the event’s website.   The event will be webcast as well as on the event’s website and Facebook as well as on NASA TV.

“The evening’s speakers, including Apollo 8 astronaut Jim Lovell and Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church Michael Curry, will celebrate that moment of unity and the spiritual meaning of exploration embodied by the first flight to the Moon. A dramatic choral performance will recreate the famous Christmas Eve Broadcast. Apollo 8 challenged our understanding of human limitations. Fifty years later, we come together to honor the Spirit of Apollo.”

Speakers include:

• Capt. James A Lovell, NASA astronaut (Apollo 8, Apollo 13, Gemini 7, Gemini 12)
• The Most Rev. Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church
• Ellen R. Stofan, John and Adrienne Mars Director of the National Air and Space Museum
• Jim Bridenstine, NASA Administrator
• The Very Rev. Randy Hollerith, Dean of Washington National Cathedral