July 20, 1969
Just 66 short years after Orville and Wilbur Wright made the first successful controlled, sustained flight of an engine-powered aircraft, America achieved what was definitely a “giant leap” in manned flight. On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin became the first astronauts ever to land on the moon. A few hours after the landing craft, named “Eagle” touched down on the lunar surface, Armstrong became the first person to walk on the surface of the moon. His famous words, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind” are forever etched in the minds and hearts of Americans.
