On September 1, 1902, a significant event in cinema history took place in France. The famous science fiction film "A Trip to the Moon" (French: "Le Voyage dans la Lune"), directed by Georges Méliès, was released in Paris.

Méliès, a magician turned filmmaker, was a pioneer in the use of special effects in cinema. "A Trip to the Moon" was a groundbreaking film that showcased his innovative techniques and storytelling abilities. The film is loosely based on two popular novels of the time: "From the Earth to the Moon" by Jules Verne and "The First Men in the Moon" by H.G. Wells.

The silent film, which runs approximately 13 minutes, follows a group of astronomers who travel to the Moon in a cannon-propelled capsule. Upon landing, they encounter the Moon's inhabitants, the Selenites, and ultimately manage to escape back to Earth.

One of the most iconic scenes in the film is the image of the capsule landing in the eye of the Moon's anthropomorphic face, which has since become a classic symbol in cinema history. Méliès used a combination of elaborate sets, costumes, and hand-painted special effects to create a visually stunning and imaginative world on screen.

"A Trip to the Moon" was an instant success and was widely distributed and imitated around the world. It helped establish Méliès as a leading figure in early cinema and demonstrated the potential of the medium to tell imaginative stories and transport audiences to fantastical worlds.

The film's release on September 1, 1902, marked a significant milestone in the history of cinema, showcasing the power of visual storytelling and the magic of special effects, which continue to captivate audiences to this day.