Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon during the 1969 Apollo
11 mission, has died, following complications resulting from
cardiovascular procedures. He was 82.
Armstrong's words "That is one small step for (a) man, one giant leap
for mankind," spoken on July 20, 1969, as he became the first person
ever to step onto another planetary body, instantly became a part of
history.
Those few words from the Sea of Tranquillity were the climactic
fulfillment of the efforts and hopes of millions of people and the
expenditure of billions of dollars. A plaque on one of the lander's
legs that concluded "We came in peace for all mankind," further
emphasized that Armstrong and fellow astronaut Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin were
there as representatives of all humans.
Armstrong is survived by his wife, two sons, a stepson, a stepdaughter, 10 grandchildren, and a brother and sister.
"Neil Armstrong was a hero not just of his time, but of all time,"
President Barack Obama said via Twitter. "Thank you, Neil, for showing
us the power of one small step."
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