On This Day in Space History

A CHRONICLE OF SPACEFLIGHT

THE SPACE RACE · THE SHUTTLE ERA · ROBOTIC EXPLORATION · 1957–PRESENT

Welcome to On This Day A daily chronicle of humanity in space — the launches, landings, spacewalks, and firsts that mark the space age. Start here. Read the welcome →
July 20
Apollo
Mission
Apollo
Series
NASA
Venue
Sea of Tranquility, Moon
Date
July 20, 1969
Agency
NASA
Nickname
Apollo 11 lands the first humans on the Moon
Crew
Neil Armstrong
Buzz Aldrin
Michael Collins

Apollo 11 lands the first humans on the Moon

Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed the Lunar Module Eagle in the Sea of Tranquility, and Armstrong became the first human to walk on the Moon while Michael Collins orbited above. The achievement fulfilled President Kennedy's goal and stands as one of the defining moments of the 20th century.

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