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This Day in Pop Culture

This Day in Pop Culture for July 16

Apolla 11, the first female Dr. Who, the last circus tent and Batman’s first foray in movie theaters.

July 16, 2020

2–3 minutes

1969: When Men Walked on the Moon

It was on this day in 1969 when Apollo 11, the first spaceflight that landed humans on the moon, began its journey from the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Kennedy, Florida. The trip was taken by Commander Neil Armstrong, pilot Buzz Aldrin and command module pilot, Michael Collins.

The spacecraft, the Apollo Lunar Module Eagle, landed on the moon on July 20. Armstrong became the first man to walk on the moon the next day which was broadcast live on TV and he stated, “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” Aldin joined him a few minutes later and together they got their steps in that day wandering around the moon’s surface for just over two hours. Meanwhile, Collins flew the Command Module Columbia in orbit who said later of the experience, “Not since Adam has any human known such solitude.” The three men had their splashdown back to earth on July 24^th. (Image: Wikimedia)

1935: First Parking Meter

The world’s first parking meter is installed in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

2017: First Female Doctor Who

BBC announces that the first ever female Doctor Who will be played by Jodie Whittaker

1956: Last Big Tent Show

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus last “Big Tent” show before moving to arenas.

1943: Batman’s First Movie

Bruce Wayne, aka Batman flew into American theaters for the first time with The Batman serial created by Columbia Pictures. Starring Lewis Wilson as the caped crusader and Douglas Croft as Robin, each episode of the series was 15 minutes in length with a total of 15 chapters. J. Carrol Naish played the villain, Dr. Daka who is said to have been a secret agent of the Japanese Imperial government. (This Batman also served as a secret agent but for the U.S. government.) The serial also included William Austin as a chubby Alfred (Bruce Wayne’s butler) and Shirley Patterson as Wayne’s love interest, Linda Page. Throughout the serial, Wayne would enter the Bat Cave through a grandfather clock,