Neil Armstrong was born on August 5, 1930, in Wapakoneta, Ohio, and became the first person to set foot on the Moon. His historic step took place on July 20, 1969, during the Apollo 11 mission, where he famously said, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."
Armstrong's fascination with flight began at an early age, influenced by the aviation activity around his hometown. He took his first flight at the age of six, and by 16, he had earned his pilot's license. After high school, he studied at Purdue University under the Navy scholarship program, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering in 1955.
Before his NASA career, Armstrong served in the United States Navy. He was a naval aviator, flying combat missions during the Korean War. After completing his military service, he became a test pilot for NACA, which later became NASA, testing various aircraft, including the X-15.
In 1962, Armstrong joined the NASA Astronaut Corps. His first spaceflight was as command pilot of Gemini 8 in 1966, where he and David Scott performed the first successful docking of two vehicles in space. However, the mission was cut short due to a critical system malfunction.
Armstrong's most famous mission was Apollo 11. On July 20, 1969, he piloted the Lunar Module Eagle to the Moon's surface alongside Buzz Aldrin. His first steps on the lunar surface were watched by an estimated 600 million viewers worldwide. Armstrong and Aldrin spent over two hours outside the spacecraft, collecting lunar samples, conducting experiments, and planting the United States flag.
After his lunar mission, Armstrong transitioned from space exploration to education and public service. He served as a professor of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Cincinnati, but he resigned after becoming frustrated with media attention. He also served on various boards and commissions, including the National Commission on Space.
Neil Armstrong's legacy is profound, not just for his Moon landing but for his contributions to space exploration, engineering, and education. He received numerous awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Congressional Space Medal of Honor, and the NASA Distinguished Service Medal. Armstrong passed away on August 25, 2012, at the age of 82.