This year, on National Moon Day (July 20th), we celebrate the July 20th, 1969 moon landing as the moment that ushered in a new appreciation for discovery, innovation, and space exploration. The moon landing was one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.

Although we claim to have solved the mystery of the Moon — Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong’s footprints are proof of it — it continues to captivate and intrigue us. Whatever the future holds, whether it’s one where humans are living up there (marveling at all the cheese we can eat and somehow still weigh less than we did on Earth), today we want to celebrate our 5 favorite moon urban legends instead! We love all the loony moon theories out there and we hope that we never discover that they’re not true.

1) The Moon Made Me Do It:

The full moon always makes people a little crazy. In fact, the words “lunacy” and “lunatic” are derived from the name of the Roman moon goddess, Luna, who was said to ride a silver chariot across the night sky. So, if you’re having a bad day, just blame it on the Moon. Came in late to work? The Moon did it. Ate a box of donuts by yourself? The Moon did it. You’ll never find a better excuse.

2) Hollywood, We Have a Problem:

One of the most widespread urban legends claims that the moon landing was staged in Hollywood and was filmed with actors, moon sets, and special effects. Many conspiracy theorists believe that the moon landing was a hoax and that NASA’s technology wasn’t advanced enough in 1969 to make moon travel achievable; while other skeptics point to the moon landing footage where the American flag “waves” as something that would have been impossible in the vacuum of space. Whether or not you believe that we landed on the Moon, you better not go pestering the astronaut Buzz Aldrin about it. The former astronaut once punched a conspiracy theorist in the face for harassing him about the veracity of the moon landing. One small punch for mankind.

3) What’s Up, Doc?

Several Asian, Native American, Central American, and South American cultures share in the belief that a rabbit lives on the Moon. We’d happily trade our legendary “Man in the Moon” for an adorable rabbit instead. During the first moon landing in 1969, the Mission Control Center in Houston, Texas told the astronauts on Apollo 11 about the Chinese folktale in which a beautiful woman lives on the Moon with her rabbit. The astronaut Michael Collins responded: “Okay. We’ll keep a close eye out for the bunny girl.”

mouse looking at the moon that is made of cheese

4) When the Moon Hits Your Eye Like a Cheesy Pizza Pie

We’ve all heard the story that the Moon is actually made of cheese. We wish it was true, but we also understand that there is no way we could be that lucky. In fact, there are several other wacky ideas about the moon’s substance as well; we especially love the theory called “Hollow Moon” that hypothesizes the Moon is completely empty inside. Or another favorite, called the “Spaceship Moon” theory, suggests that the Moon is actually an alien spaceship. That cheese theory doesn’t sound so silly now, does it?

5) That’s No Moon

Star Wars’ famous “that’s no moon” quote was a moment that filled audiences with a terrible foreboding about what was to come. Although the “moon” was in fact the destructive Death Star, the real Moon can often fill people with a similar sense of dread. The full moon is always to blame for ghostly shenanigans or spooky happenings. Most ghost stories or monster legends start with a full moon; it’s a calling card for evil and superstition. Beware the full moon because it is more than just the Moon… with it comes witches on brooms, werewolves stalking the night, and a free pass for all sorts of wicked deeds.

If all this talk about the Moon has you inspired to explore the unknown or visit the starry galaxy, then check out the Star Trek or NASA FanShop to discover your own new frontier! Design unique Star Trek and NASA inspired designs with the chance to become officially licensed apparel and merchandise. It’s was one small step for art, one giant leap for the future of DBH art. Check out a new DBH FanShop today!