When did humans first land on the Moon?
Humans first landed on the Moon on July 20, 1969, during NASA's Apollo 11 mission. Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walked on the surface while Michael Collins orbited above.
The lunar module Eagle touched down in the Sea of Tranquility at 20:17 UTC. A few hours later, Neil Armstrong stepped onto the surface and said, That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind. About 600 million people around the world watched on television.
Armstrong and Aldrin spent about two and a half hours outside, collecting rock and soil samples, setting up experiments and planting a US flag. They left a plaque reading We came in peace for all mankind. The crew returned safely to Earth on July 24.
After Apollo 11
Five more Apollo missions landed on the Moon between 1969 and 1972, and twelve astronauts walked on its surface. Apollo 17 in December 1972 was the last crewed landing. NASA's Artemis program aims to return astronauts to the lunar surface.
Did You Know?
Footprints left by the Apollo astronauts are still on the Moon, because there is no wind or rain to wear them away.