登月第一人阿姆斯特朗病逝

Tributes are still pouring in for Armstrong, known as a self-effacing space explorer who capped the most daring of the 20th century's scientific expeditions.

Jonni Ocejo was nine-years old when she watched the lunar landing with her family.

"I was a nine-year-old kid, right. That was a big remembrance for us. We all sat around the TV, and we all watched the whole process. It was a big deal. It still is a big deal."

Nathan Agarwal is a tourist at the NASA Museum in Washington, D.C.

"Someone's got to take that first step. In that perspective, that's Neil Armstrong. He's taken that first step. And so we remember when he passes that we need to just keep walking, keep walking so mankind can come and become better."

Earlier, a statement from Armstrong's family said the former astronaut died in Cincinnati, Ohio following complications from cardiovascular procedures.

His first words after setting foot on the surface of the moon are etched in the history books and in the memories of those who heard them in a live broadcast.

"That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."

He and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin spent nearly three hours walking on the lunar surface, collecting samples, conducting experiments and taking photographs while fellow astronaut Michael Collins remained in orbit in the command module.

In 2009, Armstrong, Aldrin and Collins were praised by US President Barack Obama.

"Very rarely do I have such an extraordinary pleasure as I have today to welcome three iconic figures, three genuine American heroes, to have Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins, and Buzz Aldrin here beside me is just wonderful."

The moonwalk marked America's victory in the Cold War space race that began in 1957, with the launch of the Soviet Union's satellite Sputnik 1.

Born in 1930 in Ohio, Armstrong served in the U.S. Navy and fought in the Korean War before becoming an astronaut.

After the war, he served as a test pilot at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, or NASA and was flew more than 200 kinds of aircraft, from gliders to jets.

Regardless of his feat in becoming a global icon, Armstrong remained modest and self-effacing.

He was described by his family as "a reluctant American hero who always believed he was just doing his job."

After his death, his family made a statement asking for those who wanted to remember him.

Part of the statement reads, "Honor his example of service, accomplishment and modesty, and the next time you walk outside on a clear night and see the moon smiling down at you, think of Neil Armstrong and give him a wink."

For CRI, I'm Qi Zhi.