Our long journey to the stars—and the Moon

Our long journey to the stars—and the Moon Forty-five years ago today, NASA's final Apollo mission landed on the surface of the Moon. No human has walked there since. This afternoon, President Donald J. Trump will tell the country that it's time to refocus our vision for American space exploration. In signing Space Policy Directive 1 today—the first recommendation of the recently reconvened National Space Council—the President will shift NASA's resources and attention toward the Moon and Mars. Given its relative closeness, the Moon in particular offers humans the best hope for long-term exploration and utilization. President Ronald Reagan once eloquently captured the sweep of mankind as "his long climb from the swamp to the stars." With President Trump's order today, America commits itself once again to writing the next chapter of that story. Watch the signing ceremony today at 3:00 p.m. EST. 'The sacred birthright of equality' President Trump listened closely as Reuben Anderson, Mississippi's first African-American Supreme Court justice, led a small tour group through the newly opened Mississippi Civil Rights Museum on Saturday. "The [civil rights] movement was very uncomfortable," Museum Director Pamela Junior says, adding that guests should feel some of that discomfort to better understand what victims went through. "The Civil Rights Museum records the oppression, cruelty and injustice inflicted on the African-American community," President Trump said, as well as "the fight to end slavery, to break down Jim Crow, to end segregation, to gain the right to vote, and to achieve the sacred birthright of equality here." "Their memories are carved in stone as American heroes." Read the President's full remarks here. A look inside the White House at Christmas The First Family has opened the White House to thousands of guests this holiday season for open houses and Christmas receptions. But to bring the experience of Christmas at the White House to many more, we'll be sharing "360 Photos" this month that allow you to take a look around without having to book a ticket to Washington. Our first 360 Photo offers a glimpse at the East Colonnade. Follow the White House on Facebook to see the full set as they are released. Photo of the Day First Lady Melania Trump visits with children for Christmas at Children's National Hospital | December 7, 2017 (Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks) POTUS TODAY Today, President Trump will have lunch with Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue. This afternoon, the President will participate in a presentation of the Friends of Zion award with Faith Leaders. Later, the President will participate in a swearing-in ceremony for Jamie McCourt as the U.S. Ambassador to France and the U.S. Ambassador to Monaco. Vice President Pence will participate in the swearing-in ceremony for Peter Hoekstra as the U.S. Ambassador to the Netherlands and Duke Buchan as the U.S. Ambassador to Spain and Andorra. COMING UP Tomorrow, the President will sign the National Defense Authorization Act.