Day three of the Apollo 11 mission meant focus of the news coverage was starting to turn to the Moon landing. Each day of the Apollo 11mission we are sharing coverage by the Chicago Tribune, and the Chicago Daily News today, to celebrate the 52nd anniversary.

Lead Stories in the Chicago Tribune

Chicago Tribune reporter Fred Farrar published the lead story, Soft Landing, Return of Soil Seen as Goal, that day with the focus already being on the Moon landing. Chicago, and cities around the country, were preparing for Moon Day and closing federal and county buildings when Nixon declared a national day of participation.

Yesterday’s coverage included mention of items being carried to the Moon, and so did todays. Astronauts will take medals and a patch with them to honor the sacrifice of American astronauts and Russian cosmonauts.

The People of NASA

The people of NASA made every mission in the Apollo program possible, and the Chicago Tribune ran a story of just one person. Guenter Wendt was the last person the Apollo 11 astronauts spoke to and saw before liftoff, and Wendt had done the same for Gemini and Mercury astronauts too.

Apollo Facts

There is no shortage of Apollo 11 and Saturn V facts to print. Today’s coverage included information about the origin of the program name, miles traveled by astronauts, and a funny and long overdue correction in the New York Times.

Chicago Daily News Coverage

Around town

In other space news