The first human to walk on the surface of another world is dead.
American Neil Armstrong, who stepped on to the surface of the moon on July 21, 1969, died of complications following bypass surgery. He was 82 years old.
As long as humans write history, the name Neil Armstrong and his deeds will be mentioned. Thousands of years from now, when the entire history of the 20th century will be encapsulated in a few sentences, Armstrong’s name and his epic voyage will enjoy a prominence that wars, technological accomplishments, towering personalities, and seminal discoveries in science won’t have.
His family reported the death at 2:45 p.m. ET. A statement said he died following complications resulting from cardiovascular procedures.
Armstrong commanded the Apollo 11 spacecraft that landed on the moon on July 20, 1969, and he radioed back to Earth the historic news: “That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.”
He spent nearly three hours walking on the moon with fellow astronaut Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin.
Armstrong and his wife, Carol, married in 1999, made their home in the Cincinnati suburb of Indian Hill, but he had largely stayed out of public view in recent years. His birthday was Aug. 5.
From the Navy Hymn “Eternal Father”:
Eternal Father, lend Thy grace To
those with wings who fly thro’ space,
Thro wind and storm, thro’ sun and rain,
Oh bring them safely home again
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