Neil Armstrong

Date of Birth: August 5, 1930

Zodiac Sign: Leo

Date of Death: August 25, 2012

Biography

Neil Alden Armstrong was an American astronaut and aeronautical engineer who made history as the first person to walk on the moon. Born on August 5, 1930, in Wapakoneta, Ohio, Armstrong developed a passion for aviation at an early age, earning his student pilot’s license when he was just 16 years old. He went on to study aeronautical engineering at Purdue University, and after graduating, he served as a naval aviator during the Korean War. In 1962, Armstrong joined NASA’s astronaut program, and he quickly rose through the ranks. On July 20, 1969, he commanded the Apollo 11 mission and famously declared, “That’s one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind,” as he became the first human to set foot on the lunar surface. Following his historic moon landing, Armstrong continued to work with NASA and later pursued a career in academia, teaching aerospace engineering at the University of Cincinnati. Armstrong passed away on August 25, 2012, due to complications from cardiovascular procedures. His legacy as a pioneering astronaut and a symbol of human achievement endures to this day.

5 Interesting Facts about Neil Armstrong

1. Neil Armstrong earned his student pilot’s license at the age of 16 before he even had a driver’s license.

2. He was a naval aviator and flew 78 combat missions during the Korean War.

3. Armstrong was also a test pilot and flew the X-15 rocket plane, which could reach the edge of space.

4. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the United States, from President Richard Nixon in 1969.

5. Armstrong had a crater on the moon named after him in honor of his contributions to space exploration.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Neil Armstrong

1. “That’s one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind.”

2. “I believe every human has a finite number of heartbeats. I don’t intend to waste any of mine.”

3. “Mystery creates wonder and wonder is the basis of man’s desire to understand.”

4. “Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed.”

5. “I put up my thumb and it blotted out the planet Earth.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

The highest net worth achieved by Neil Armstrong was estimated to be around $8 million at the time of his death.

Children

Neil Armstrong had three children with his first wife, Janet Shearon: Eric Armstrong, Karen Armstrong, and Mark Armstrong. Tragically, Karen died of a brain tumor in 1962 at the age of two.