In the history of mankind, only twelve people have walked on the moon. All twelve were American men, astronauts involved in NASA's Apollo program, and all twelve visited the moon within a four year span. The Soviet Union and Japan have also sent unmanned spacecraft on the moon, but the Apollo missions remain the only time mankind has set foot on a celestial body other than the Earth.
Neil Armstrong was first on the moon, planting with Buzz Aldrin the American flag and a plaque that reads, "Here men from planet Earth first set foot upon the Moon. July 1969 A.D. We came in peace for all mankind." Alan Shepard drove a golf ball 800 yards after smuggling a six iron on board, and Pete Mitchell threw a Solar Wind Collector like a javelin in an attempt to outdistance Shepard's drive. Charlie Duke and John Young perfected the art of sneaking up on moon rocks. And Eugene Cernan was last one off, leaving behind another plaque, this one reading "Here man completed his first exploration of the Moon, December 1972 A.D. May the spirit of peace in which we came be reflected in the lives of all mankind."
Mission # Name Date(s) Duration
11 Neil Armstrong July 20, 1969 02:31:40
11 Edwin Aldrin July 20, 1969 02:31:40
12 Charles Conrad November 19, 1969 07:45:18
12 Alan Bean November 19, 1969 07:45:18
14 Alan Shepard February 5, 1971 09:22:31
14 Edgar Mitchell February 5, 1971 09:22:31
15 James Irwin July 30, 1971 18:34:46
15 David Scott July 30, 1971 18:34:46
16 Charles Duke April 21-23, 1972 20:14:16
16 John Young April 21-23, 1972 20:14:16
17 Harrison Schmitt December 11-13, 1972 22:03:57
17 Eugene Cernan December 11-13, 1972 22:03:57