Who was the first person to set foot on the moon?

The first person to set foot on the moon was Neil Armstrong, a significant achievement in space exploration and American history. On July 20, 1969, during NASA's Apollo 11 mission, Armstrong became the first human to walk on the lunar surface, famously declaring, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." This event marked a pivotal moment in the Space Race, showcasing technological prowess and inspiring generations to come. His role as the mission commander and his actual presence on the moon are what distinguish him as the first person to achieve this milestone.

The other individuals mentioned each had notable contributions related to space and aviation, but none were the first to walk on the moon. Buzz Aldrin was the second person to walk on the moon during the same mission. Yuri Gagarin was the first human in space but never traveled to the moon, and Michael Collins was the command module pilot for Apollo 11, remaining in lunar orbit while Armstrong and Aldrin explored the surface.