Iconic American astronaut Neil Armstrong, who was the first person to walk on the moon, has died at the age of 82, his family said on Saturday.
Armstrong died following complications from heart-bypass surgery he underwent earlier this month, the family said in a statement, just two days after his birthday on August 5.
As commander of the Apollo 11 mission, Armstrong became the first human to set foot on the moon on July 20, 1969.
As he stepped off the ladder of the lunar module and onto the moon’s surface, Armstrong uttered those timeless words:
“That’s one small step for man, and one giant leap for mankind.”
It was a defining moment for human history and our world was changed forever.
In a statement from the White House, President Obama said:
“Neil was among the greatest of American heroes. When Neil stepped foot on the surface of the moon for the first time, he delivered a moment of human achievement that will never be forgotten.”
Rest In Peace, Neil…
