The mesmerizing television coverage of the Apollo 11 Moon landing 50 years ago was watched by thousands of Greeks who gathered in several central points in Athens where television screens were placed.
Television sets were rare in 1969, and the two state-controlled channels had never before attempted a live transmission.
State channel EIR, the predecessor of ERT, re-transmitted the live feed from Italian state broadcaster RAI to thousands who gathered at Syntagma, Omonoia and Klathmonos Squares.
Many others watched the landing in front of electrical goods stores where television sets were switched on throughout the entire night of July 20.
In anticipation of the landing, American flags were hoisted along all major streets of Athens and other cities, so that “Greeks could celebrate the momentous achievement of the American astronauts,” as EIR said in its report.
The “Eagle” spacecraft touched down on the Moon’s surface on 04:59 (Greek time) on July 21st, 1969.
Greek newspapers with special editions hailed humanity’s achievement in conquering the Moon. The daily newspaper Τa Nea proclaimed on its front page: “Man, the ruler of two planets.”
This is how EIR transmitted the momentous 1969 moon landing: