The Apollo 11 moon landing celebrates its 50th anniversary on July 20.
Astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin famously became the first two men to land and walk on the moon during the mission, with Armstrong securing his place in history by saying with his first step, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”
Apollo 11 made a reality a goal announced by President John F. Kennedy of landing a man on the moon before the end of the 1960s.
In honor of this iconic moment in American History, scroll through these 50 images from Apollo 11 in honor of its golden anniversary.
Moon Landing: 50 Images in Honor of 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11
ShareThe Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong (1930 - 2012), Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins at a press conference, UK, 17th October 1969. (Photo by Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Moon Landing: 50 Images in Honor of 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11
ShareThe three wives of the Apollo 11 astronauts at a press conference, UK, 14th October 1969; (L-R) Joan Aldrin, Janet Armstrong, Pat Collins. (Photo by Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Moon Landing: 50 Images in Honor of 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11
Sharecirca 1969: Michael Collins, American astronaut, with Neil Armstrong and Edwin 'Buzz' Aldrin, the first astronauts to land on the moon, seen in Paris. Collins is holding up a model of a spacecraft Apollo 11. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)
Moon Landing: 50 Images in Honor of 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11
ShareThe official insignia of NASA's Apollo 11 lunar landing mission, featuring a bald eagle carrying an olive branch on the Moon, with the Earth visible in the background, June 1969. (Photo by Space Frontiers/Getty Images)
Moon Landing: 50 Images in Honor of 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11
ShareNeil Armstrong, Commander of the space ship Apollo 11, speaking to a technician during a suiting at the Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral, Florida, shortly before he set off for the Moon with fellow astronauts Michael Collins and Edwin 'Buzz' Aldrin. (Photo by Central Press/Getty Images)
Moon Landing: 50 Images in Honor of 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11
ShareAstronaut Ronald Ellwin Evans (1933 - 1990), a member of the support team of NASA's Apollo 11 lunar landing mission, in a gondola during centrifuge training in Building 29 of the the Manned Spacecraft Center's Flight Acceleration Facility in Houston, Texas, 15th April 1969. (Photo by Space Frontiers/Getty Images)
Moon Landing: 50 Images in Honor of 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11
ShareThe three crew members of NASA's Apollo 11 lunar landing mission pose for a group portrait a few weeks before the launch, May 1969. From left to right, Commander Neil Armstrong, Command Module Pilot Michael Collins and Lunar Module Pilot Edwin 'Buzz' Aldrin Jr. (Photo by Space Frontiers/Getty Images)
Moon Landing: 50 Images in Honor of 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11
ShareAstronaut Neil Armstrong, wearing an Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU), carries out lunar surface simulation training in Building 9 of the Manned Spacecraft Center (MSC) in Houston, Texas, 18th April 1969. Armstrong is prime crew commander of the Apollo 11 lunar landing mission. Here, he is opening a sample return container. On the right is the Modular Equipment Stowage Assembly (MESA) and the Lunar Module (LM) mock-up. (Photo by Space Frontiers/Getty Images)
Moon Landing: 50 Images in Honor of 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11
ShareCommander Neil Armstrong tries out a chest-mounted Hasselblad camera before NASA's Apollo 11 lunar landing mission, 1969. (Photo by Space Frontiers/Getty Images)
Moon Landing: 50 Images in Honor of 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11
Share16th July 1969: Apollo 11 commander Neil Armstrong runs through final notes before the launch of the Apollo/Saturn V space vehicle at the Kennedy Space Centre, Florida. (Photo by NASA/Keystone/Getty Images)
Moon Landing: 50 Images in Honor of 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11
ShareApollo 11 astronauts Mike Collins (left), Neil Armstrong (centre), and Edwin 'Buzz' Aldrin, in front of the Lunar Landing Module Simulator at the Kennedy Space Centre, USA, prior to their landing on the moon. (Photo by Central Press/Getty Images)
Moon Landing: 50 Images in Honor of 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11
ShareThe MSS (Mobile Service Structure) moves back from Launch Complex 39A at Cape Kennedy in Florida, during the terminal phase of the CDDT (Countdown Demonstration Test) for NASA's Apollo 13 mission, March 1970. This is a practice run for the launch scheduled for 11th April. (Photo by Space Frontiers/Getty Images)
Moon Landing: 50 Images in Honor of 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11
ShareA pre-launch twilight photo of The Apollo 11 Saturn V space vehicle. It lifted off July 16, 1969 from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The space craft was injected into lunar orbit July 19, 1969 with Astronauts Neil A. Armstrong, Michael Collins and Edwin E. Aldrin Jr. on board. The 30th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon landing mission is celebrated July 20, 1999. (Photo by NASA/Newsmakers)
Moon Landing: 50 Images in Honor of 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11
ShareThe Apollo 11 spacecraft 107, Lunar Module 5 and Saturn V AS-506 rocket arrive at Pad A, Launch Complex 39 at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, prior to NASA's lunar landing mission, 23rd May 1969. The Saturn V stack and its mobile launch tower are being transported from the Vehicle Assembly Building on a huge crawler-transporter. (Photo by Space Frontiers/Getty Images)
Moon Landing: 50 Images in Honor of 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11
ShareNeil Armstrong leads Edwin 'Buzz' Aldrin and Michael Collins out of the space centre on the Apollo 11 space mission to the moon. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)
Moon Landing: 50 Images in Honor of 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11
ShareApollo 11 rises to clear its mobile launcher at pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Centre, initiating man's first lunar landing mission. (Photo by Central Press/Getty Images)
Moon Landing: 50 Images in Honor of 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11
ShareThe huge, 363-foot tall Apollo 11 Spacecraft is launched from Kennedy Space Center July 16, 1969. Aboard the Apollo 11 spacecraft were astronauts Neil A. Armstrong, commander; Michael Collins, command module pilot; and Edwin E. Aldrin, Jr., lunar module pilot. Apollo 11 is the United States'' first lunar landing mission. The 30th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon mission is celebrated July 20, 1999. (Photo by NASA/Newsmakers)
Moon Landing: 50 Images in Honor of 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11
ShareThe Apollo 11 Saturn V space vehicle lifts off July 16, 1969 from Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex in Florida. The space craft was injected into lunar orbit on July 19 with Astronauts Neil A. Armstrong, Michael Collins and Edwin E. Aldrin Jr. on board. The 30th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon landing mission is celebrated July 20, 1999. (Photo by NASA/Newsmakers)
Moon Landing: 50 Images in Honor of 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11
ShareThe Apollo 11 Saturn V space vehicle lifts off July 16, 1969 from Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex in Florida. The space craft was injected into lunar orbit on July 19, 1969 with Astronauts Neil A. Armstrong, Michael Collins and Edwin E. Aldrin Jr. on board. The 30th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon landing mission is celebrated July 20, 1999. (Photo by NASA/Newsmakers)
Moon Landing: 50 Images in Honor of 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11
ShareThe launch of NASA's Apollo 11 space vehicle from Pad A, Launch Complex 39 at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, on its lunar landing mission, 16th July 1969. The vehicle comprises Spacecraft 107, Lunar Module 5 and a Saturn V AS-506 rocket. (Photo by Space Frontiers/Getty Images)
Moon Landing: 50 Images in Honor of 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11
ShareVice President Spiro Agnew And Former President Lyndon Johnson View The Liftoff Of Apollo 11 From The Stands Located At The Kennedy Space Center Vip Viewing Site. The Apollo 11 Saturn V Space Vehicle Lifted Off On July 16, 1969 And Was Injected Into Lunar Orbit On July 19 With Astronauts Neil A. Armstrong, Michael Collins And Edwin E. Aldrin Jr., At 9:32 A.M. Edt July 16, 1969, From Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex In Florida. The Lm (Lunar Module) Landed On The Moon On July 20, 1969 And Returned To The Command Module On July 21. The Command Module Left Lunar Orbit On July 22 And Returned To Earth On July 24, 1969. Apollo 11 Splashed Down In The Pacific Ocean On 24 July 1969 At 12:50:35 P.M. Edt After A Mission Elapsed Time Of 195 Hrs, 18 Mins, 35 Secs. (Photo By Nasa/Getty Images)
Moon Landing: 50 Images in Honor of 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11
ShareCommander Neil Armstrong in the lunar module (LM) at Tranquility Base on the surface of the Moon, during NASA's Apollo 11 lunar landing mission, July 1969. He has just carried out his EVA (extravehicular activity). (Photo by Space Frontiers/Getty Images)
Moon Landing: 50 Images in Honor of 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11
ShareLunar Module Pilot Edwin 'Buzz' Aldrin in the lunar module (LM) at Tranquility Base on the surface of the Moon, during NASA's Apollo 11 lunar landing mission, July 1969. He has just carried out his EVA (extravehicular activity). (Photo by Space Frontiers/Getty Images)
Moon Landing: 50 Images in Honor of 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11
ShareAmerican astronaut Neil Armstrong (1930 - 2012), commander of the Apollo 11 lunar mission, in training in the Apollo Lunar Module Mission Simulator at the Kennedy Space Center's Flight Crew Training Building, Florida, 19th June 1969. Just over a month later, he became the first man ever to set foot on the moon. (Photo by NASA/Central Press/Getty Images)
Moon Landing: 50 Images in Honor of 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11
ShareAn image of the Moon during NASA's Apollo 11 lunar landing mission, July 1969. (Photo by Space Frontiers/Getty Images)
Moon Landing: 50 Images in Honor of 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11
ShareThe Apollo 11 space module above the surface of the moon. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Moon Landing: 50 Images in Honor of 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11
ShareWith a half-Earth in the background, the Lunar Module ascent stage with Moon-walking Astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin Jr. approaches for a rendezvous with the Apollo Command Module manned by Michael Collins. The Apollo 11 liftoff from the Moon came early, ending a 22-hour stay on the Moon by Armstrong and Aldrin. The 30th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon mission is celebrated July 20, 1999. (Photo by NASA/Newsmakers)
Moon Landing: 50 Images in Honor of 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11
ShareThe Lunar Module or 'Eagle' on the Moon with the Earth visible behind it, during NASA's Apollo 11 lunar landing mission, July 1969. (Photo by Space Frontiers/Getty Images)
Moon Landing: 50 Images in Honor of 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11
ShareApollo 11 astronaut Edwin 'Buzz' Aldrin deploys a scientific experiment package on the surface of the moon. In the background is the Lunar Module, as is a flag of the United States. (Photo by Neil Armstrong/NASA/Getty Images)
Moon Landing: 50 Images in Honor of 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11
ShareLunar Module Pilot Edwin 'Buzz' Aldrin standing next to the Solar Wind Composition experiment, part of the Early Apollo Scientific Experiments Package (EASAP), at Tranquility Base on the surface of the Moon, during NASA's Apollo 11 lunar landing mission, July 1969. The Lunar Module or 'Eagle' is behind him. (Photo by Space Frontiers/Getty Images)
Moon Landing: 50 Images in Honor of 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11
ShareLunar Module Pilot Edwin 'Buzz' Aldrin sets up the Solar Wind Composition experiment, part of the Early Apollo Scientific Experiments Package (EASAP), at Tranquility Base on the surface of the Moon, during NASA's Apollo 11 lunar landing mission, July 1969. The Lunar Module or 'Eagle' is behind him. (Photo by Space Frontiers/Getty Images)
Moon Landing: 50 Images in Honor of 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11
ShareThe deployment of scientific experiments by Astronaut Edwin Aldrin Jr. is photographed by Astronaut Neil Armstrong. Man's first landing on the Moon occurred July 20, 1969 as Lunar Module "Eagle" touched down gently on the Sea of Tranquility on the east side of the Moon. The 30th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon mission is celebrated July 20, 1999. (Photo by NASA/Newsmakers)
Moon Landing: 50 Images in Honor of 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11
ShareColonel Edwin or 'Buzz' Aldrin (1930 - ) walking on the surface of the moon during the Apollo 11 mission. In 1969 he set a world record of walking on the moon for over 5 hours. (Photo by Neil Armstrong/Getty Images)
Moon Landing: 50 Images in Honor of 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11
ShareOne of the few photographs of Neil Armstrong on the moon shows him working on his space craft on the lunar surface. The 30th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon landing mission is celebrated July 20, 1999. (Photo by NASA/Newsmakers)
Moon Landing: 50 Images in Honor of 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11
ShareAstronaut Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin poses next to the U.S. flag July 20, 1969 on the moon during the Apollo 11 mission. (Photo by NASA/Liaison)
Moon Landing: 50 Images in Honor of 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11
ShareLunar Module Pilot Edwin 'Buzz' Aldrin Jr deploys the Solar Wind Composition experiment, part of the Early Apollo Scientific Experiments Package (EASAP) during his extravehicular activity (EVA) on NASA's Apollo 11 lunar landing mission, 20th July 1969. The photograph was taken by Commander Neil Armstrong with a 70mm lunar surface camera. (Photo by Space Frontiers/Getty Images)
Moon Landing: 50 Images in Honor of 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11
ShareAstronaut Edwin E. Aldrin Jr., Lunar Module Pilot, Is Photographed Walking Near The Lunar Module During The Apollo 11 Extravehicular Activity. Man's First Landing On The Moon Occurred Today At 4:17 P.M. July 20, 1969 As Lunar Module "Eagle" Touched Down Gently On The Sea Of Tranquility On The East Side Of The Moon. The Lm (Lunar Module) Landed On The Moon On July 20, 1969 And Returned To The Command Module On July 21. The Command Module Left Lunar Orbit On July 22 And Returned To Earth On July 24, 1969. Apollo 11 Splashed Down In The Pacific Ocean On 24 July 1969 At 12:50:35 P.M. Edt After A Mission Elapsed Time Of 195 Hrs, 18 Mins, 35 Secs. (Photo By Nasa/Getty Images)
Moon Landing: 50 Images in Honor of 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11
ShareCraters on the far side of the Moon as photographed during NASA's Apollo 11 lunar landing mission, 20th July 1969. Half of the International Astronomical Union Crater number 308 is visible at the top right, at coordinates 179.3 degrees east longitude and 6 degrees north latitude. (Photo by Space Frontiers/Getty Images)
Moon Landing: 50 Images in Honor of 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11
ShareAstronaut Edwin E. Aldrin Jr. walks near the Lunar Module during the Apollo 11 extravehicular activity July 20, 1969 on the Moon. The 30th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon mission is celebrated July 20, 1999. (Photo by NASA/Newsmakers)
Moon Landing: 50 Images in Honor of 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11
SharePart of Buzz Aldrin's leg, foot and footprint on the surface of the moon during the Apollo 11 lunar mission. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)
Moon Landing: 50 Images in Honor of 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11
ShareNeil Armstrong steps into history July 20, 1969 by leaving the first human footprint on the surface of the moon. The 30th anniversary of the Apollo 11 landing on the moon is being commemorated on July 20, 1999. (Photo by NASA/Newsmakers)
Moon Landing: 50 Images in Honor of 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11
ShareAstronaut Edwin E. Aldrin Jr., Lunar Module Pilot, stands near a scientific experiment on the lunar surface. Man's first landing on the Moon occurred July 20, 1969 as Lunar Module "Eagle" touched down gently on the Sea of Tranquility on the east side of the Moon. The 30th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon mission is celebrated July 20, 1999. (Photo by NASA/Newsmakers)
Moon Landing: 50 Images in Honor of 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11
ShareThe Apollo 11 space module floating above the Moon. The Earth can be seen rising behind. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)
Moon Landing: 50 Images in Honor of 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11
ShareA view of the Earth appears over the Lunar horizon as the Apollo 11 Command Module comes into view of the Moon before Astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin Jr. leave in the Lunar Module, Eagle, to become the first men to walk on the Moon's surface. The 30th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon mission is celebrated July 20, 1999. (Photo by NASA/Newsmakers)
Moon Landing: 50 Images in Honor of 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11
ShareThe crew of the Apollo 11 Command Module (CM) Columbia are picked up by a life raft from the 'USS Hornet' after their historic lunar landing mission, about 812 nautical miles southwest of Hawaii, 24th July 1969. The splashdown took place at 11:49 am (CDT), only 12 nautical miles from the 'USS Hornet', and the crew are awaiting pick-up by a helicopter from the vessel. In the boat are Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins and Edwin 'Buzz' Aldrin Jr, and a US Navy underwater demolition team swimmer. They are all wearing biological isolation garments. (Photo by Space Frontiers/Getty Images)
Moon Landing: 50 Images in Honor of 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11
ShareThe Apollo 11 Command Module (CM) Columbia is hoisted aboard the 'USS Hornet' after its historic lunar landing mission, about 812 nautical miles southwest of Hawaii, 24th July 1969. The splashdown took place at 11:49 am (CDT), only 12 nautical miles from the 'USS Hornet'. Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins and Edwin 'Buzz' Aldrin Jr are inside the Command Module. (Photo by Space Frontiers/Getty Images)
Moon Landing: 50 Images in Honor of 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11
ShareU.S. Navy Pararescueman Lt. Clancey Hatleberg Disinfects Apollo 11 Astronauts Neil A. Armstrong, Michael Collins And Edwin E. Aldrin Jr. After Getting Into The Life Raft During Recovery Operations Today At The Completion Of Their Successful Lunar Landing Mission. The Space Pilots Donned Biological Isolation Garments In Their Spacecraft. The Lm (Lunar Module) Landed On The Moon On July 20, 1969 And Returned To The Command Module On July 21. The Command Module Left Lunar Orbit On July 22 And Returned To Earth On July 24, 1969. Apollo 11 Splashed Down In The Pacific Ocean On 24 July 1969 At 12:50:35 P.M. Edt After A Mission Elapsed Time Of 195 Hrs, 18 Mins, 35 Secs. (Photo By Nasa/Getty Images)
Moon Landing: 50 Images in Honor of 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11
ShareU.S. Navy pararescueman Lt. Clancey Hatleberg disinfects Apollo 11 Astronauts Neil A. Armstrong, Michael Collins and Edwin E. Aldrin Jr. after getting into the life raft during recovery operations today at the completion of their successful lunar landing mission. The space pilots donned biological isolation garments in their spacecraft. The 30th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon landing mission is celebrated July 20, 1999. (Photo by NASA/Newsmakers)
Moon Landing: 50 Images in Honor of 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11
ShareThe three US astronauts from the Apollo 11 mission take part in a tickertape parade in the Ginza, Tokyo, during a two-day visit to Japan on their Goodwill Tour of the world, 4th-5th November 1969. (Photo by Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Moon Landing: 50 Images in Honor of 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11
ShareNew York City welcomes the Apollo 11 crew in a showering of ticker tape down Broadway and Park Avenue August 13, 1969 in a parade termed as the largest in the city's history. Pictured in the lead car, from the right, are astronauts Neil A. Armstrong, commander; Michael Collins, command module pilot; and Edwin E. Aldrin Jr., lunar module pilot. The three astronauts teamed for the first manned lunar landing on July 20, 1969. The 30th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon mission is celebrated July 20, 1999. (Photo by NASA/Newsmakers)
