Man first walked on the moon in 1969. The historic event occurred during NASA's Apollo 11 mission, which was launched on July 16 of that year. Neil Armstrong and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin became the first humans to set foot on the lunar surface on July 20, 1969, while Michael Collins remained in lunar orbit aboard the command module. Armstrong's famous words upon stepping onto the moon were, "That's one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind." This achievement marked a significant moment in space exploration and human history, showcasing technological advances and international competition during the Space Race.