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A look back: Chicago was starstruck over Apollo 11 mission

Spectators crowd around a display window of a Chicago store on July 20, 1969 at Michigan Avenue and Lake Street to watch television sets as Apollo 11 astronauts prepare to step on the moon. (William Bender/Chicago Tribune)

On July 20, 1969, the world watched as Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin, with astronaut Michael Collins staying with the main ship, landed on the surface of the moon. Those on Earth saw the grainy image of Armstrong placing his feet on the moon’s surface as he uttered his famous words — and the rest is history. In August of that same year, the “Moon Men” visited Chicago for a parade that weaved through the Loop and attracted about 2 million people. In this photo, spectators crowd around the display window of a Chicago store on July 20, 1969, at Michigan Avenue and Lake Street to watch the televised broadcast of Apollo 11 astronauts preparing to step on the moon.  (William Bender/Chicago Tribune)

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On July 20, 1969, the world watched as American astronauts Neil Armstrong, Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin and Michael Collins reached the surface of the moon. Those on earth saw the grainy image of Armstrong placing his feet on the moon’s surface as he uttered his famous words — and the rest is history. In August of that same year, the “Moon Men” visited Chicago for a parade that weaved through the Loop and attracted about 2 million people.

Shoppers and business people stop during their lunch hour to watch the Apollo 11 take off from the moon July 21, 1969. They watched a television in a display window at 200 N. Michigan Ave. in Chicago.

Shoppers and business people stop during their lunch hour to watch the Apollo 11 take off from the moon July 21, 1969. They watched a television in a display window at 200 N. Michigan Ave. in Chicago.  (Michael Budrys / Chicago Tribune)

White Sox players bow their heads in prayer July 20, 1969, when the announcement was made at Comiskey Park in Chicago that Apollo 11 had landed safely on the moon.

White Sox players bow their heads in prayer July 20, 1969, when the announcement was made at Comiskey Park in Chicago that Apollo 11 had landed safely on the moon.  (Ed Feeney/Chicago Tribune)

Visitors to Chicago watch the Apollo 11 moon landing on a TV brought into the lobby of the Sheraton Chicago on July 20, 1969.

Visitors to Chicago watch the Apollo 11 moon landing on a TV brought into the lobby of the Sheraton Chicago on July 20, 1969.  (James Mayo/Chicago Tribune)

The moon hangs in the sky above Chicago as the clock on the Wrigley Building indicates 9:56 p.m., the time when Apollo 11 astronaut Neil Armstrong set foot on lunar soil July 20, 1969.

The moon hangs in the sky above Chicago as the clock on the Wrigley Building indicates 9:56 p.m., the time when Apollo 11 astronaut Neil Armstrong set foot on lunar soil July 20, 1969.  (Ron Pownall / Chicago Tribune)

Seated in the kitchen of a Chicago firehouse at 8026 Kedzie Ave., firefighters watch the television as Apollo 11 is launched on July 16, 1969, in Chicago.

Seated in the kitchen of a Chicago firehouse at 8026 Kedzie Ave., firefighters watch the television as Apollo 11 is launched on July 16, 1969, in Chicago.  (Walter Neal / Chicago Tribune)

A crowd waits for the Apollo 11 telecast from space on July 19, 1969, in Chicago.

A crowd waits for the Apollo 11 telecast from space on July 19, 1969, in Chicago.  (Walter Neal / Chicago Tribune)

Chicago Tribune editorial staffers watch the splashdown of the Apollo capsule on television from the fourth-floor newsroom at the Tribune Tower on July 24, 1969.

Chicago Tribune editorial staffers watch the splashdown of the Apollo capsule on television from the fourth-floor newsroom at the Tribune Tower on July 24, 1969.  (Chicago Tribune archive / Chicago Tribune archive)

Young Chicagoans in front of the Wrigley building sign a giant greeting card July 23, 1969, intended for Apollo 11's astronauts as a welcome-home gesture. The children are Barbara Herman, 6, and brother David Herman, 9, with their uncle Ronald Kelps. Two astronauts set foot on the moon July 20, 1969.

Young Chicagoans in front of the Wrigley building sign a giant greeting card July 23, 1969, intended for Apollo 11’s astronauts as a welcome-home gesture. The children are Barbara Herman, 6, and brother David Herman, 9, with their uncle Ronald Kelps. Two astronauts set foot on the moon July 20, 1969.  (Jack Mulcahy / Chicago Tribune)

Astronauts Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin, from left, Neil Armstrong and Michael Collins wave to a cheering crowd on the Michigan Avenue Bridge during a parade in their honor on Aug. 13, 1969. The trio had successfully completed the Apollo 11 mission the month before to land on the moon.

Astronauts Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin, from left, Neil Armstrong and Michael Collins wave to a cheering crowd on the Michigan Avenue Bridge during a parade in their honor on Aug. 13, 1969. The trio had successfully completed the Apollo 11 mission the month before to land on the moon.  (Dave Nystrom / Chicago Tribune)

Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong, center, waves along with Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin and Michael Collins, as the three ride up LaSalle Street on Aug. 13, 1969, in Chicago.

Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong, center, waves along with Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin and Michael Collins, as the three ride up LaSalle Street on Aug. 13, 1969, in Chicago.  (Don Casper / Chicago Tribune)

Thousands line State Street to see the Apollo 11 astronauts and their families during a parade in their honor on Aug. 13, 1969, in Chicago.

Thousands line State Street to see the Apollo 11 astronauts and their families during a parade in their honor on Aug. 13, 1969, in Chicago.  (Chicago Tribune historical photo / Chicago Tribune)

Spectators line Michigan Avenue for a parade honoring the Apollo 11 astronauts and their families on Aug. 13, 1969, in Chicago.

Spectators line Michigan Avenue for a parade honoring the Apollo 11 astronauts and their families on Aug. 13, 1969, in Chicago.  (Chicago Tribune / Chicago Tribune)

Apollo 11 astronauts Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin, Neil Armstrong and Michael Collins as they ride in Dr. Eric Swanson's custom automobile during a parade in their honor on Aug. 13, 1969, in Chicago.

Apollo 11 astronauts Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin, Neil Armstrong and Michael Collins as they ride in Dr. Eric Swanson’s custom automobile during a parade in their honor on Aug. 13, 1969, in Chicago.  (Walter Kale / Chicago Tribune)

Youngsters in sailor suits salute Apollo 11 astronauts during the "Moon Men" parade at Oak Street and Michigan Avenue in Chicago on Aug. 13, 1969.

Youngsters in sailor suits salute Apollo 11 astronauts during the “Moon Men” parade at Oak Street and Michigan Avenue in Chicago on Aug. 13, 1969.  (Walter Neal / Chicago Tribune)

Apollo 11 astronauts Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin, Michael Collins and Neil Armstrong wave to the crowd as they stand ankle deep in confetti during their Chicago parade on Aug. 13, 1969.

Apollo 11 astronauts Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin, Michael Collins and Neil Armstrong wave to the crowd as they stand ankle deep in confetti during their Chicago parade on Aug. 13, 1969.  (William Kelly/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley presents medals to Apollo 11 astronauts Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin, from left, Michael Collins and Neil Armstrong on Aug. 13, 1969, outside the Civic Center. The crowd, estimated at 100,000 people, jammed the Civic Center Plaza to watch the ceremonies honoring the "Moon Men" with medals, making them honorary citizens of Chicago.

Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley presents medals to Apollo 11 astronauts Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin, from left, Michael Collins and Neil Armstrong on Aug. 13, 1969, outside the Civic Center. The crowd, estimated at 100,000 people, jammed the Civic Center Plaza to watch the ceremonies honoring the “Moon Men” with medals, making them honorary citizens of Chicago.  (Michael Budrys / Chicago Tribune)

A Navy helicopter flies over a frogman during a simulation in Lake Michigan demonstrating how the frogmen recovered the Apollo 11 astronauts after splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. A replica of the Apollo 11 capsule floats in Lake Michigan as the helicopter makes the pickup on Aug. 22, 1969. The frogman is pulled up to the helicopter to complete the simulation.

A Navy helicopter flies over a frogman during a simulation in Lake Michigan demonstrating how the frogmen recovered the Apollo 11 astronauts after splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. A replica of the Apollo 11 capsule floats in Lake Michigan as the helicopter makes the pickup on Aug. 22, 1969. The frogman is pulled up to the helicopter to complete the simulation.  (Walter Kale / Chicago Tribune)

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