Celebrating the Apollo 11 Moon landing, 50 years on

Many events being held to mark Man's first steps on lunar surface

Astronaut Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin, lunar module pilot for Apollo 11, on the moon on July 20, 1969.
Astronaut Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin, lunar module pilot for Apollo 11, on the moon on July 20, 1969. PHOTOS: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS
The Apollo 11 crew on a Saturn V rocket lifting off from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida on July 16, 1969.
The Apollo 11 crew on a Saturn V rocket lifting off from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida on July 16, 1969. PHOTOS: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS
The crew leaving the manned spacecraft operations building during the pre-launch countdown.
The crew leaving the manned spacecraft operations building during the pre-launch countdown. PHOTOS: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS
The astronauts waiting to be picked up during recovery operations in the Pacific Ocean on July 24, 1969.
The astronauts waiting to be picked up during recovery operations in the Pacific Ocean on July 24, 1969. PHOTOS: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS
A moon rock fragment on display at the Science Centre Singapore's Moonshot 50 exhibition.
A moon rock fragment on display at the Science Centre Singapore's Moonshot 50 exhibition. ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY
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In 1969, more than 600 million people watched their television sets in awe as two astronauts from the United States first walked on the Moon on July 20.

The Apollo 11 Moon mission inspired people across the globe to become scientists, and sparked technology advancements like cordless devices and water purification.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on July 20, 2019, with the headline Celebrating the Apollo 11 Moon landing, 50 years on. Subscribe