Apollo 11 Facts: The First Moon Landing
Even though Yuri Gagarin from what was then the U.S.S.R. became the first man in outer space, the lead he gave the Soviets in the space race in 1961 was overcome by the United States eight years later. On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin became the first men to step on the moon’s surface, a defining moment in human history.
This post was first published on July 20, 2016, the 47th anniversary of the Apollo 11 landing. On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin landed the lunar module Eagle on the Moon while Michael Collins stayed in orbit aboard the command module Columbia. Armstrong and Aldrin spent about 22 hours on the surface before rejoining Collins for the trip home.
A few facts from the mission
The first words after touchdown were not "The Eagle has landed." Aldrin called out "Contact light" when probes under the landing pads touched the surface. After shutdown steps, Armstrong radioed, "Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed."
The famous line has a missing word. Armstrong said he meant to say "one small step for a man." The "a" is hard to hear on the recording, and NASA prints the line with the "a" added in brackets.
The flag did not stay up. Aldrin saw the flag blown over by exhaust when the ascent stage lifted off. Images from NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter show flags still standing at several later Apollo sites, but not at Apollo 11.
The crew honored lost astronauts and cosmonauts. They left an Apollo 1 patch, medals honoring Soviet cosmonauts Yuri Gagarin and Vladimir Komarov, and a small disc carrying goodwill messages from world leaders.
Aldrin took communion on the Moon. During a rest period before the moonwalk, he took communion privately with elements from his church in Texas.
A speech was ready in case of disaster. Speechwriter William Safire prepared a statement for President Nixon to read if the astronauts could not return. It was never needed.
The mission ran a little long. From launch on July 16 to splashdown in the Pacific on July 24, Apollo 11 lasted 195 hours, 18 minutes and 35 seconds, about 36 minutes longer than planned.
Ten more astronauts walked on the Moon on later Apollo missions. The last, Apollo 17, left the surface in December 1972.
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Sources
NASA. Apollo 11 mission page. Retrieved October 6, 2026.
NASA. Apollo 11 Mission Overview (mission duration and splashdown). Retrieved October 6, 2026.
NASA Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera team, 2012 findings on the Apollo flags, as reported by Space.com: Apollo Moon Landing Flags Still Standing, Photos Reveal.
National Archives, DocsTeach. Memorandum from Speechwriter William Safire to President Nixon.
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and Webster Presbyterian Church accounts of Aldrin's lunar communion (summarized via The Gospel Coalition).
About the author. CJ Henley, DMD, is a general dentist in Jacksonville whose practice focuses on cosmetic and restorative dentistry, dental implants and dental care around head and neck cancer. Meet Dr. Henley.
CJ Henley, DMD, PA · 3675 Hendricks Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32207 · 904-398-1549
Updated October 2026.
Do Wisdom Teeth Always Need to Be Removed?
With age comes wisdom. Specifically, wisdom teeth.
Your mouth goes through many changes in your lifetime. One major dental milestone that usually takes place between the ages of 17 and 21 is the appearance of your third molars. Historically, these teeth have been called wisdom teeth because they come through at a more mature age.
No. Wisdom teeth are the third molars at the back of the mouth, and not all of them need removal. The decision depends on their position, their health, their effect on neighboring teeth, and whether they can be cleaned and monitored.
What does an impacted wisdom tooth mean?
An impacted tooth has not fully come in to a usable position. Examination and appropriate imaging show its position and how it relates to nearby teeth, nerves and bone. Some impacted teeth cause few noticeable symptoms, so how a tooth feels is only part of the assessment.
When might a wisdom tooth need removal?
Reasons can include decay that can't reasonably be restored, repeated infection, damage to a neighboring tooth, gum disease or a cyst. Other dental treatment planning may also affect the decision. Discuss the expected benefit, alternatives, risks and recovery with the clinician who will perform the procedure.
Can I keep healthy wisdom teeth?
Sometimes. Teeth that stay need cleaning and ongoing monitoring. Ask how to reach the area with your brush and an interdental cleaner, and mention food trapping, swelling or difficulty opening your mouth. A dental examination can help tell a wisdom-tooth problem apart from other causes of pain.
Should taste changes determine whether I remove a wisdom tooth?
No. One study reported changes in taste after wisdom tooth removal, and you can read our summary of that taste research. A finding like that doesn't establish that removal is needed for you. The decision should rest on the tooth's health, the examination findings, and the benefits and risks of the proposed treatment. Tell your clinician about any existing taste changes, numbness or concerns before deciding.
What symptoms should prompt a call?
Call for increasing pain, swelling or trouble opening your mouth. Rapidly spreading facial or neck swelling, trouble breathing or swallowing, or other severe symptoms need urgent medical attention. Our emergency dental care page explains how to contact the office about a dental problem.
Where can you discuss wisdom teeth in Jacksonville?
Our office is on Hendricks Avenue near San Marco. An examination can identify the problem and the appropriate next steps, including referral when needed. Bring recent dental X-rays if you have them. Contact our office at 904-398-1549 to discuss your concerns.
Sources
American Dental Association, MouthHealthy. Wisdom teeth.
About the author. CJ Henley, DMD, is a general dentist in Jacksonville whose practice focuses on cosmetic and restorative dentistry, dental implants and dental care around head and neck cancer. Meet Dr. Henley.
CJ Henley, DMD, PA · 3675 Hendricks Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32207 · 904-398-1549
Updated October 2026.