# Neil Armstrong's Famous Line Conspiricy

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neil-armstrongs-famous-line-conspiricy/120>\
**Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\
**Created:** [June 30, 1999, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neil-armstrongs-famous-line-conspiricy/120 "1999-06-30T01:07:00Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\
**Post date:** [June 30, 1999, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neil-armstrongs-famous-line-conspiricy/120/1 "1999-06-30T01:07:00Z")

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We all know Armstrong’s famous moon landing line “That’s one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind.”  
— Neil A. Armstrong

But maybe the “supposedly” dropped “a” was no accident. With the addition of the “a”, the anagram fanatics were able to create this little diddy.

A thin man ran; makes a large stride; left planet, pins flag on moon! On to Mars!

Chance you say? Maybe. Until next time.

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**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\
**Post date:** [July 1, 1999, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neil-armstrongs-famous-line-conspiricy/120/2 "1999-07-01T02:26:00Z")

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At the Navy Memorial in Washington, Armstrong’s quote is listed as “for man”, not “a man.”

Despite Armstrong’s efforts to correct himself, most people think of the quote as lacking an “a.” It doesn’t really matter, since they also realize what he meant.