The History of What Didn't Happen

This past Wednesday, July 20, the Los Angeles Times ran an article titled "Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin: the tragic speech Nixon was prepared to give."

The Apollo 11 landing on July 20, 1969 was a success; however, the White House had prepared a speech to share the news if tragedy had struck. 

The LA Times article, which gives a brief history of the speech that was never read, is a great piece of public history. First, its a mini-history lesson in the political climate in 1969. Next, it introduces a specific piece of documentation to the public's knowledge of a moment in our history, simultaneousely considered a national milestone and overanalysized by conspiracy-theorists. Additionally, the National Archives are mentioned, a phenomenal source of information that not everyone is aware exists.

Finally, it reminds us that what we save can shed light on what happened. This article reminds us all that history also contains that which did not happen.

The message within the speech that was never read, when considered with the tone and content of the speech that was read by President Richard Nixon, adds to our understanding of Nixon's White House and the nation in 1969.  

As you make your own choices of what to save, remember to document the important things that didn't happen. We only have half the story without them.