Earth Rise. From Apollo 8 on 24 December 1968. One of the most famous photos ever taken. The picture was taken by Astronaut Bill Anders.

It is one of the most famous photos of all time. On Christmas Eve 1968 the crew of Apollo 8 reached the Moon for the first time. As they came around the back side they snapped the Earth rising over the lunar surface. For the first time in history the people of Earth saw just how fragile their home in the cosmos was.

How alone we are in the vastness of the Universe.

Many historians point to  his picture as the impetus for the first Earth Day. It was 40 years ago today. I remember it well. I was 10 years old.

Happy Earth Day!