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Neil Armstrong Research Paper

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Neil Armstrong: An Icon For someone to be considered an icon, they must be well-known, influential, and represent more than themselves. There were many icons from the twentieth century, Neil Armstrong being one of them. In his eighty-two-year lifespan, he achieved more than any person has ever done before. Armstrong, for one of the first times ever, united the whole world and changed the way society would think and act. While he was most famous for being the first astronaut to walk on the moon, he symbolized much more. Everybody was able to see how far the human race could go, and what we could achieve. His actions would improve the life of his time, but also for time to come. Beyond that, Armstrong influenced many aspects of life; such as …show more content…

While all of the awards were important, the most prestigious of them was the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Even though a variety of people who have received this award, it still stands as the highest civilian honor. As Barack Obama said during his presidency, “the Presidential Medal of Freedom is not just our nation's highest civilian honor—it's a tribute to the idea that all of us, no matter where we come from, have the opportunity to change this country for the better.” (obamawhitehouse.gov) Obama’s statement not only shows Neil Armstrong’s significance in American history but also displays how iconic he is. Despite his prestigious awards, he was always humble about his achievements. When he died, Glen Bever stated: “We have lost a humble giant, but his legacy is forever.” Bever reflected on Armstrong’s legacy and personality as being humble, which proves how he acted. (nasa.gov) Furthermore, he still received the General James E. Hill Lifetime Space Achievement Award a year after his death. Armstrong was the eleventh person to receive this award and only fifteen people total have received it. As shown by his awards after his death, his legacy will live on forever and he will always be viewed as an

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