Background Information

The "Space Race" is indeed what it sounds: a heated competition between the U.S. and the Soviet Union to get to the great beyond. For centuries many have pondered the existence of anything outside of Earth. In the 1950's, two powerhouse nations took one big swing at the curve ball better known as space. For over a decade, the U.S. and Soviet Union went stride for stride with each other, attempting to pop the space bubble first. Great expense in these economically thriving time periods helped propel the way to victories for both countries in different areas. The ultimate goal was to land on the moon first. The Soviet Union took an early jump, becoming the first nation in space. Soon after, the U.S. took the gold by putting the first men on the moon. This event was an enormous media frenzy, watched by people all over the globe. Thus, the U.S. had won the space race by being the first nation to the moon (www.newseum.com).