Neil Armstrong was a NASA astronaut and one of only 12 people to have ever set foot on the moon. (NASA)

Remembering Neil Armstrong’s Giant Leap

The first man to walk on the moon has died at age 82

• PRINT
• EMAIL

During the Apollo 11 mission, Armstrong and fellow astronaut Buzz Aldrin planted an American flag on the moon’s surface. (NASA / Roger Ressmeyer / CORBIS)

On Saturday, American astronaut Neil Armstrong died at age 82. He was the first man to set foot on the moon.

Armstrong made history on July 20, 1969. He was the commander of Apollo 11, the first space mission to land astronauts on the lunar surface. After their famous moonwalk, Armstrong and fellow astronaut Buzz Aldrin became icons in the history of science and space exploration.

After Armstrong’s death was announced over the weekend, many people who work in science and government spoke proudly of his achievements.

“Neil was among the greatest of American heroes,” President Barack Obama said in a statement. “When Neil stepped foot on the surface of the moon for the first time, he delivered a moment of human achievement that will never be forgotten.”

“As long as there are history books, Neil Armstrong will be included in them, remembered for taking humankind’s first small step on a world beyond our own,” said Charles F. Bolden Jr., administrator of the American space agency NASA.

Armstrong is still one of only 12 people to have ever stepped onto the moon.

WALKING ON THE MOON

Six hours after his spacecraft landed on the moon, Armstrong became the first human to step onto the lunar surface. “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind,” he said as he stepped down from the the lunar landing craft. Broadcast on television and radio around the world, Armstrong’s words marked the beginning of a new period of space exploration.

Fellow astronaut Aldrin joined him outside the spacecraft 20 minutes later. The two worked together to plant an American flag on the moon.

Their historic moonwalk lasted a little more than two hours. Although their time on the moon was short, it inspired a generation of young people to say, “When I grow up, I want to be an astronaut!”

Armstrong, a former military test pilot, had worked for NASA for many years. His skills as an engineer and experience as a space commander helped make the first moonwalk into a success.

The Apollo 11 mission was Armstrong’s last spaceflight. He retired from his work as an astronaut and became a college professor. Over the past few years, Armstrong had become a public supporter of a manned mission to Mars.

• Teacher Store
• 

  The Teacher Store
  	The American Flag by Lloyd G. Douglas This emergent-reader nonfiction series is thoroughly reviewed and approved by a distinguished reading advisory board. Full-color photographs, predictable text patterns, and concepts of high interest make this series ideal for young readers. $4.95 Paperback Book | Grades K-1

  
  The American Flag
  Grades K-1 $4.95
  
• Teacher Store
• 

  The Teacher Store

  Polar Adventures by Catherine Nichols In the True Tales series, young readers will discover animals that have done brave deeds, are smarter than the average human, or have deep maternal extincts. They will get lost on polar & deep sea adventures, expore the ancient world, or float in space. Each chapter introduces a new story that ties into one theme and has exciting photos, glossary, index, timelines, and maps, where appropriate. These chapter books will excite young readers and give them the expository text t $3.95 Paperback Book | Grades 4-5

  
  Polar Adventures
  Grades 4-5 $3.95
  

WATCH A VIDEO Click here to see a video commemorating the Apollo 11 mission!