Apollo 11 versus Wal-Mart

The Chicago Tribune has a short article arguing that while Apollo 11 reaching the moon in July of 1969 was momentous, they real “big” event of 1969 happened a few months later when Sam Walton incorporated Wal-Mart.

Trib writer Rob Manker thinly argues that the creation of Wal-Mart had a much more direct and lastingly influence on American than the Moon landing. For better and for worse, the existence and success of Wal-Mart has influenced the way we shop, how we live, and how business is conducted.

It’s an interesting question to ponder. I want to believe that the Moon landing was more influential; but when I consider what’s happened over the last forty years since Neil Armstrong’s first steps I have a hard time getting excited about the U.S. space program or revealing its influence on American life.