UN Charter preamble on Moon , UNNY132G.03, 1973, USA
Title

UN Charter preamble on Moon

Gift ID: 
UNNY132G.03

This replica plaque has the Preamble of the Charter of the United Nations inscribed upon it and was left on the moon in 1972. It conveys the message, “It symbolizes the spirit of international cooperation and brotherhood which marked man’s first venture on another celestial body.”  

In 1972, Apollo 17 went to the moon and the crew, Commander Eugene Cerman, Command Module pilot Ronald Evans and Lunar Module Pilot Harrison Schmitt, carried 5 experimental mice. Schmitt was a geologist and brought his scientific pursuit in person on the moon. They succeeded in their 2 primary goals with finding older rock samples than previous flights and investigating evidence and materials of possible volcanos.

When leaving the moon, Cerman said, "We leave as we came, and, God willing, we shall return, with peace and hope for all mankind." 

This framed gift shows an identical plaque of the Preamble to the Charter of the United Nations which was left on the moon and starts with, “We the peoples“. In December 1972, it was carried to the Moon by the crew of Apollo 17. A few months later in February 1973, this replica plaque was presented to the United Nations by the United States of America. 

Donor Region: 
Western European and Other Groups
Donor: 
USA
Classification: 
Sculpture
Materials: 
Metals
Medium: 
Paper copy of the plaque of the Preamble of the Charter of the United Nations left on the moon
Location (Building): 
Secretariat (S)
Location floor: 
38th Floor
Donation Date: 
February 1, 1973
Artist or Maker: 
NASA
Dimensions: 
23 ⅝ x 19 ⅜ x 2 ¾ in. (framed)