Man first landed on the Moon in 1969. The historic event occurred during NASA's Apollo 11 mission when astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first humans to set foot on the lunar surface on July 20. Armstrong famously described the moment as "one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." The mission was a significant achievement in the Space Race, showcasing American technological prowess. The third astronaut, Michael Collins, orbited the Moon in the command module. Apollo 11 marked a monumental step in space exploration and left a lasting impact on science and history.