As commander of the Apollo 11 mission, he became the first person to set foot on the moon, on 20 July 1969, fulfilling the long-held dream of the United States to get there before the Soviet Union. His first words as he stepped on to the surface – “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind” – instantly became one of the most recognizable phrases ever uttered.
Armstrong underwent heart bypass surgery earlier this month, just two days after his birthday on 5 August, to relieve blocked arteries.
His family released a statement on Saturday describing him as a “reluctant American hero who always believed he was just doing his job”.