Neil Armstrong Autograph

Neil Armstrong was an American astronaut and the first human to walk on the moon. He was born on August 5, 1930, in Wapakoneta, Ohio. Armstrong was the eldest of three children born to Stephen and Viola Armstrong. He attended the Blume High School in Wapakoneta, and later went to Purdue University in Indiana, where he graduated with a degree in aeronautical engineering in 1955.

Armstrong was a test pilot for the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) at Edwards Air Force Base in California from 1955 to 1962. In 1959, he was selected as one of the original seven astronauts for the Mercury program. In 1962, he was assigned to the Gemini program, and he flew the Gemini 8 mission in 1966.

On July 20, 1969, Armstrong became the first human to step onto the moon. He famously said, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind” when he first stepped onto the moon’s surface. After his return to Earth, Armstrong was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

In 1971, Armstrong left NASA and became a professor of engineering at the University of Cincinnati. He also served on the boards of various companies, including Chrysler, General Motors, and AIL Systems. In addition, Armstrong was an advocate for space exploration and was a board member of the National Space Institute.

Armstrong passed away on August 25, 2012, at the age of 82. He left behind a legacy of courage, dedication, and accomplishment. He was an inspiration to future generations of astronauts, engineers, and scientists, and his achievements will continue to be remembered and celebrated for years to come.

Armstrong's life and accomplishments have been memorialized in several books, movies, and television programs. He was the subject of the 1998 movie First Man, which was based on his life story. He was also the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including the Congressional Space Medal of Honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the Congressional Gold Medal.