Neil Alden Armstrong (1930–2012) was an American astronaut. He was the first person to set foot on the moon.
Born in Wapakoneta, Ohio, Armstrong was educated at Purdue University. A fighter pilot in Korea and later a civilian test pilot, he was chosen as a NASA astronaut in 1962. In 1966, Armstrong was the command pilot for the Gemini 8 orbital flight in 1966.
As commander of Apollo 11 mission, Armstrong led the first manned lunar landing mission with Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins, becoming the first person to set foot on the moon (20-July-1969.) From the dusty surface of the moon, Armstrong uttered the famous declaration, “That’s one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind;” (in the thrill of the moment, Armstrong skipped the “a” in the announcement that he had planned.)
After Apollo 11, Armstrong shied away from being a public figure and confined himself to academic and professional endeavors. He taught aerospace engineering at Cincinnati University 1971–79, and served on the board of several American companies.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Neil Armstrong
Mystery creates wonder and wonder is the basis of man’s desire to understand.
—Neil Armstrong
Topics: Understanding
Science has not yet mastered prophecy. We predict too much for the next year and yet far too little for the next 10.
—Neil Armstrong
I believe that the Good Lord gave us a finite number of heartbeats and I’m damned if I’m going to use up mine running up and down a street.
—Neil Armstrong
Topics: Exercise
Wondering Whom to Read Next?
Gerald Ford American Head of State
Ross Perot American Businessman
George H. W. Bush American Head of State
John McCain American Politician
John Wayne American Actor
Edward R. Murrow American Journalist
Sandra Day O’Connor American Jurist
Colin Powell American Military Leader
H. Norman Schwarzkopf American Military Leader
George W. Bush American Head of State