Fifty years ago, Americans turned on their television sets and watched in awe as two men glided onto the surface of the moon. It was the greatest feat yet in space exploration; a victory in man’s war against the unknown.

This week, in celebration of its 50th anniversary, Americans relived this triumph by gazing on the vessel that made it possible: Apollo 11, the great Saturn V rocket, displayed on the Washington Monument in the nation’s capital. The life-sized, 363-foot projection of the rocket lit up the National Mall as part of the Apollo 50 Festival, which featured performances, exhibits, and speakers throughout the week.