‘We choose to go to the Moon': 9 facts about John F. Kennedy’s speech at Rice University

ORLANDO, Fla. — On a September day nearly 60 years ago, President John F. Kennedy addressed thousands at Rice University for Americans to stand behind the Apollo program and the country’s efforts to land a man on the moon.

Here are nine things to know about Kennedy’s speech as we get closer to NASA’s historic crewed launch on May 30:

1. The speech, known as Address at Rice University on the Nation’s Space Effort, was made on September 12, 1962 in front of an estimated 40,000 people.

2. Kennedy had a briefing in Cape Canaveral the day before the address. He was joined by Vice President Lyndon Johnson, NASA Launch Center Director Kurt Debus and NASA Administrator James Webb, among others.

3. The line “Why does Rice play Texas?” was well received by the crowd, but was added at the last minute by Kennedy and not initially part of the speech prepared by White House aide and presidential advisor Ted Sorensen.

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4. Kennedy’s delivery of the most well-known line from the speech “We choose to go to the moon!” resulted in a huge ovation.

5. Although noted for being a very warm Houston day, some in attendance took notice to Kennedy’s very cool demeanor. At one point during the speech Kennedy made a joke about the weather.

6. The groundwork for the landing was placed by Kennedy in May of 1961 when he stood before Congress to propose the objective.

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7. The podium which Kennedy delivered his speech now resides at Space Center Houston after being donated by Rice University.

8. The speech is widely renown as one of the best ever made by a president. Many pundits agreed that the speech was able to successfully drum up support for the mission and unite the nation by inciting the willingness to accept a challenge.

9. Kennedy’s goal of the country reaching the moon came to fruition after his death with the landing of Apollo 11 in 1969.

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