The major event that occurred when man landed on the moon in 1969 was Apollo 11, marking a significant achievement in the Space Race and human exploration. Astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first humans to set foot on the lunar surface on July 20, 1969, while Michael Collins orbited above in the command module. Armstrong’s famous words, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind,” underscored the monumental achievement. This event demonstrated significant advancements in technology and human capability, while also fulfilling President John F. Kennedy's goal of landing a man on the moon by the end of the 1960s.