Apollo 11 50th Anniversary Archival Edition Commemorative Coin

"That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind".

Neil Armstrong, July 20, 1969

Mankind's greatest achievement began as a challenge by President John F. Kennedy

 in 1961: land a man on the moon and return him safely to Earth. Eight years later, 

the world watched as American astronauts turned that dream into reality. 

On July 16, 1969, three men - commander Neil A. Armstrong, lunar module pilot Edwin E. "Buzz" Aldrin, Jr., 

and command module pilot Michael Collins - launched into history, reaching the moon four days later. 

As Collins orbited miles above the lunar surface, 

the lunar module containing Armstrong and Aldrin touched down on the Sea of Tranquility. 

A camera provided live television coverage as Neil Armstrong 

climbed down the ladder and became the first human to set foot on another celestial body. 

The Apollo 11 crew successfully completed their mission and returned safely to Earth on July 24, 1969.

Today, 50 years after the historic moon landing, 

two outward signs of their great achievement remain on the lunar surface: 

the lasting impression of Armstrong's footprint and an American flag.