The world watched and waited as the lunar module `` Eagle '' separated from the command module and began its descent . ` ` As long as there are history books , Neil Armstrong should be included in them , '' he says . Apollo 11 touched down on the moon on July 20 , 1969 . ` ` That 's one small leap for ( a ) man , one giant leap for mankind , '' Armstrong famously said . He largely avoided the public spotlight .
` ` As long as there are history books , Neil Armstrong should be included in them , '' he says . Apollo 11 touched down on the moon on July 20 , 1969 . ` ` That 's one small leap for ( a ) man , one giant leap for mankind , '' Armstrong famously said . He largely avoided the public spotlight .