Gold olive branch
Peace on Moon
S69-40941 (July 1969) --- This picture is of the gold replica of an olive branch, the traditional symbol of peace, left on the Moon's surface by Apollo 11 crewmembers. Astronaut Neil A. Armstrong, commander, placed the small replica (less than half a foot in length) on the Moon. The gesture represented a wish for peace for all mankind.
Image & text: Spaceflight.nasa.gov
On July 16, 1969, a massive Saturn V rocket carrying Apollo 11 lifted off from Earth – launching Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins, and Buzz Aldrin on their way to the moon. Their Command Module was named "Columbia," after Jules Verne's fictional canon (Columbiad) that shot a projectile-like ship to the moon.
Their Lunar Module was named "Eagle."
"Houston, Tranquility base here. The eagle has landed."
On July 20th, Armstrong and Aldrin landed on the lunar surface, in an area called the "Sea of Tranquility."
The two men exited Eagle for 2½ hours to walk on the moon, becoming the first humans ever to do so. One of the things they did was to place a golden olive branch on the lunar surface.
Gold Olive Branch Left on the Moon
"This is the gold replica of an olive branch, the traditional symbol of peace, left on the Moon's surface by Apollo 11 crew members. Astronaut Neil A. Armstrong, commander, placed the small replica (less than half a foot in length) on the Moon. The gesture represented a wish for peace for all mankind." – NASA
After nearly 22 hours at Tranquility Base, the two astronauts launched up in Eagle to rejoin Columbia in orbit around the moon.
Eagle's descent stage remains on the moon. It has a plaque with the inscription:
"Here Men From Planet Earth First Set Foot Upon the Moon.
July 1969 A.D. We Came In Peace For All Mankind."
Text: Greatseal.com