The first man walked on the Moon in 1969 during NASA's Apollo 11 mission. Astronaut Neil Armstrong became the first human to set foot on the lunar surface on July 20, 1969, famously declaring, "That's one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind." He was followed shortly after by Buzz Aldrin, while Michael Collins remained in lunar orbit aboard the command module. This historic mission marked a significant achievement in space exploration and human history, showcasing advancements in technology and the spirit of exploration during the Cold War era.