On May 25, 1961, U.S. President John F. Kennedy addressed a special joint session of Congress, setting a bold and ambitious goal: to send an American safely to the Moon and return them before the decade's end. Several political factors influenced Kennedy's decision and its timing. He felt intense pressure for the U.S. to "catch up to and surpass" the Soviet Union in the "space race." After consulting with Vice President Johnson, NASA Administrator James Webb, and other officials, Kennedy determined that landing an American on the Moon, while highly challenging, was an area where the U.S. held a potential advantage. Determined not to be outdone by America's Cold War rivals, Kennedy committed to building a space program that would surpass the Soviets in both technological innovation and investment.
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| This cover was postmarked on the same day that President John F. Kennedy delivered his speech on May 25, 1961.
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(Reference from
The Decision to Go to the Moon: President John F. Kennedy's May 25, 1961 Speech before a Joint Session of Congress)
