1961
America stood on the doorstep of large house. He was bundled up in several layers of clothing because, even though it was spring time, the air was extremely cold. America hated the cold. It reminded him of the winters he encountered in his early years first as a colony, then as a nation.
The young man held up his gloved fist to the door, but before he could knock, he lowered it again.
What am I doing? he asked himself, This is insane!
For the third time in the past five minutes, America turned to leave.
C'mon, you can do this.
Before he had a chance to change his mind again, America rushed to the door and knocked loudly. He could hear the sound echoing through the house and he held his breath as he waited for the door to open. Or for him to be shot at, whichever came first.
After a while, America relaxed a bit, grateful for a reason to leave. As he turned around for the last time however, the door creaked open. America sheepishly smiled at the tall, violet-eyed man standing in the doorway.
"What are you doing here?" Russia asked. His voice was flat and his face was impossible to read.
America cleared his throat. "I, uh, wanted to talk. You know, about things." About things? What the hell does that mean?
"What kind of things?" Russia questioned, his eyebrow raised.
"Nothing bad!" America assured quickly, "I mean, not anything about our leaders or politics or stuff like that. Just… you know, personal things. I have a few questions to ask, if you don't mind."
Russia continued to stare at the flustered nation. "What makes you think I'm going to trust you?"
"You did during the civil war," America pointed out hopefully, "Mine, I mean. You helped me out at least. That means you trusted me at some point, right?"
Russia smirked. "That may be true, but unfortunately, supporting is not the same as trusting."
"It works both ways then," America retorted, "Our bosses don't like each other, and we're not supposed to like each other, but that doesn't mean we can't trust each other. Look! I'm unarmed. You can check me." He opened his coat to show the Russian his lack of weapons.
"You are a complete idiot," Russia said with a smile, "I think that's pretty funny. You can come in." He opened the door wider. After America entered, he slammed it shut and locked a series of large deadbolts.
America followed Russia down a long, dark hallway. Even though they were inside, the freezing air sent shivers down his back. America buttoned up his coat and quickened his pace to keep up with the long strides of the Russian. Eventually, the two Nations entered a room. It was dimly lit by a table lamp that sat atop a desk on one side of the room, which America guessed was some sort of study. On the other side, there were two chairs facing each other, a coffee table between them. Russia gestured for America to sit in one of the chairs, and the younger Nation complied. He then sat in the other and waited patiently for America to speak.
"Ahem, so… uh, you just sent a guy into space, right?" America shifted uncomfortably in his chair.
"Yes," Russia replied with a smirk, "What is your point?"
"Well, I'm sure that you have had a chance to talk to him since he came back down…"
Russia nodded slowly.
"And I bet that he told you all about the trip."
"Yes, he did."
"So, I just wanted to ask you… Oh, god, this is embarrassing… I wanted to ask you what it was like. You know, up there?"
Russia's smile left his face. He remained quiet for a long time. America began to think that his coming there was not the best idea. Soon, however, Russia stood up and walked slowly to the desk. He opened a drawer and pulled out a manila folder. As he stomped heavily back towards America's chair, the younger Nation fixed his eyes on the envelope. Russia sat down and handed the folder to America, gesturing for him to open it. Out from inside of the envelope, America pulled out a photograph. It was a shot of something America had never seen before.
"What is it?" he whispered in awe.
"That," Russia stated matter-of-factly, "is the planet earth from space. I figured you would have seen something like this before, considering it was your space program that started sending up cameras."
"I haven't been involved in any of that since…the war ended. You know, the big one." America held the photo closer to his face. "So this is what the world looks like?"
Russia smiled, genuinely for once. "Do you know what my favorite part about it is?"
America looked at him and shrugged.
"There are no borders. Everybody is one."
"With Russia," America finished expectantly.
But to his surprise, the Nation shook his head. "No. Not with Russia. Not with anyone in particular. Just…with each other."
Russia stared off into space with a sad smile. America wasn't sure how to respond.
"When Yuri came back," Russia continued, "he told me how beautiful the world was. He said we should spend our time protecting it rather than destroying it."
America looked down. He had certainly spent more time breaking down the earth than building it up. "He's right," America said softly, "We should."
"If we are in agreement, comrade," Russia said cheerfully, "then I propose a pact. Let us agree to set aside the hatred of our leaders and disallow the petty wars between them to stand in the way of friendship."
America's face brightened up considerably. "Let's agree to support each other through thick and thin and stand united together!"
"As one!"
"For mankind, not for a single man!"
America laughed as Russia clapped him on the back. "Come, America! We should celebrate this agreement over drinks. I have plenty of vodka."
"Oh, um, that's great and all, but I don't really drink a whole lot."
"Nonsense! Vodka is for everyone!"
"Okay, if you say so…"
AVAVAVAVAVAVAVAV
July 20, 1969
All across the world, millions of households were tuned in on news coverage of a very important event. In one particular countryside home in Virginia, a large number of culturally diverse people were gathered. America had decided to celebrate this happy occasion in the best way he knew how: by throwing a party with a couple (hundred) of his friends. Most of Europe was there, along with good sized chunks of the Americas and Asia. Oceania mingled with Africa and even the micronations were acknowledged. America was beginning to consider it his most successful party yet, however the absence of several particular Nations prevented him from doing so.
"Hey America," called Poland, "where's Liet?"
"I was sure to invite him," America answered.
"He's probably just running late," Hungary replied to the green-eyed Nation.
"Liet's, like, never late. He's totally got a huge stick up his butt."
"Well, I just hope he doesn't miss the landing," America worried out loud.
Fortunately, just a few minutes later, the doorbell rang and America invited in three relieved-looking Baltic states as well as a cheerful Ukraine and a permanently pissed Belarus. After dodging Poland, Lithuania quickly pulled America aside.
"Mr. America, please," he rattled, "I tried to talk him out of coming, but he insisted…"
"Wait, slow down," America patted his shoulder, "Who insisted?"
"Russia!" Lithuania gasped just as the large Nation lumbered through the doorway. Almost everyone stopped what they were doing to gawk at the unexpected arrival.
"Oh, him."
"I'm very sorry."
"Don't be. I invited him." America left Lithuania baffled as he walked over to greet his newest guest. True to his nature, America remained oblivious to the bewildered stares and whispered gossip that arose throughout the room.
The puzzlement of the Nations, however, almost instantly dissolved as the TV anchorman announced the beginning of what would be one of the most famous newscasts in history. The Nations all swarmed around America's tiny television. On screen, shaky footage of an aircraft approaching barren ground appeared. The crowded room was silent except for the voices of the people on TV and the excited and hushed translations of some of the Nations to their friends who spoke no English.
The aircraft moved closer and closer to the ground. Soon it was only a hundred feet above…then only seventy five…then forty…until…
"Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed."
The house erupted into cheers as everyone took turns hugging and clapping each other's backs. Every single Nation present was giddy with excitement. Alcohol sloshed onto the floor as sloppy toasts were made. Even the Nations like Romano, who claimed that the whole thing was clearly faked, cracked smiles. All current political situations were forgotten in that moment of celebration.
Soon, however, everyone became quiet once more as the footage changed to that of a man in a bulky space suit climbing out of the aircraft. The Nations were captivated by each of his clumsy steps down the ladder of the craft. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the man's heavy boot touched the ground.
"That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind."
If the noise level before was considered loud, what happened next was deafening. Shouts of joy in every language imaginable rang through the air. Some of the more emotional Nations grabbed their closest friends and loved ones and sobbed with happiness.
Everyone shared the excitement with one another. The landing was not seen as a feat performed by only one man from one nation. Rather, it was seen as something to be celebrated as an accomplishment of all people, past and present.
In between the congratulatory words of his closest friends, America glanced through the crowd and met the gaze of a smiling Russia. America smiled back and both Nations nodded knowingly. Then, to the surprised delight of the Nations surrounding him, Russia pulled out a large bottle of vodka from his coat. He made his way across the room filling glasses held in outstretched hands. When he reached America, the younger nation passed him a glass. Russia filled it up and handed it back. America shook his head.
"None for me, thanks," he protested, "Remember last time?"
"Oh, forget about that," Russia insisted, "That was years ago! And now is a time for celebration!"
"Okay, fine." America took the cup and gave another to Russia. The two men raised their glasses in unison.
"I propose a toast!" America shouted. All of the other Nations cheered and lifted their glasses as well. "To mankind!"
"To mankind!" they all repeated.
Everyone downed their glasses. America gagged and coughed much to the amusement of his friends. "Oh, god!" he sputtered, "That tastes like rubbing alcohol!"
Russia laughed out loud. "It's an acquired taste."
"And I knew what it was like, too! How did I let you talk me into this again?"
"Drink more! You have to get used to it."
"No way! I'm not falling for that again!"
Russia chased America around the room, trying to get him to drink more vodka. Soon other Nations joined in, and everyone was laughing. For the time being, all thoughts of war and hate were forgotten leaving only a strong bond of friendship. And for a brief moment in time, all of the Nations stood together, united as one.
Author's note:
So this chapter is obviously about the Space Race. During the Cold War, the US and the USSR were competing to see who could outspend each other when it came to space exploration. The Americans were the first to send up cameras to take pictures from space, but the Soviets were the first to send up a person. Yuri Gagarin, the first man in space, is quoted with the words: "Orbiting Earth in the spaceship, I saw how beautiful our planet is. People, let us preserve and increase this beauty, not destroy it!"
Wise words indeed, Mr. Gagarin.
The US was the first to send a manned space flight to the moon. The live footage of the landing was broadcasted all over the world and translated into hundreds of different languages. It was the most viewed footage worldwide in history. Most people saw it as not a victory for the Americans, but as a victory for the whole world.
Neil Armstrong's famous quote has a lot of debate behind it. Some people argue that instead of saying "one small step for a man" it was actually "one small step for man" rendering the whole sentence redundant and useless. If you listen to the video, you can't really hear the "a", but Armstrong insists that he said it, so that is the version I used in this chapter.
Thank you to those who have continued to read this story!