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Historic program for worship services held in the East Room of the White House on the day of the Apollo 11 moon landing, July 20, 1969, two pages, 6.5 x 9, signed inside in ink by attendees and participants, including President Richard Nixon, Senator Mark Hatfield, Apollo 8 Commander Frank Borman, Dr. Paul S. Smith, Congressman John H. Buchanan, Jr., and Chief Justice Warren E. Burger. In fine condition, with a central vertical fold.
The New York Times reported on the proceedings: 'President Nixon, his family and more than 300 leaders of the American Government and the diplomatic corps began this epochal day with prayers for three men the whole world was watching. They gathered in the East Room of the White House while Col. Frank Borman of the Air Force read the opening words of Genesis, as he and two comrades did while orbiting the moon last Christmas Eve. They were the first men ever to circumnavigate that body.
Quoting the first 10 verses of Genesis, Colonel Borman began: 'In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep.'
Paul S. Smith, the teacher that Mr. Nixon said had 'most inspired me' and a 'birthright Quaker' who now is president of Whittier College in California, gave the short sermon.
'My own faith in mankind is renewed this morning in the knowledge that countless millions of all nations are praying today, not so much that one brave astronaut may set foot upon the moon, but that three brave astronauts may put their feet again upon the earth,' Dr. Smith said.
Senator Mark O. Hatfield of Oregon, a devout Baptist, delivered one of the prayers today. The other was given by John H. Buchanan Jr. of Alabama, an ordained Baptist minister.'
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