Today, forty years ago, mankind took a giant leap and stepped foot on the surface of our moon. It's a perfect time to celebrate with a look back at the mission.

In the gallery below, we'll take you through the delivery of the Saturn V to the launch pad, the Earth rising over the moon, to the landing on the lunar surface and the return back to Earth. Enjoy this monumental day as you never truly know where we'll step foot next.

Image Credits:

Apollo 11 rolls out of the massive Vehicle Assembly Building

May 20, 1969

Apollo 11 rollout

May 20, 1969

aerial view of Apollo 11 rollout

May 20, 1969

The Saturn V moves at one mile per hour down the crawlerway toward pad 39A

May 20, 1969

Searchlights illuminate the Apollo 11 space vehicle at Launch Complex 39A during a Countdown Demonstration Test

July 11, 1969

The crew crosses the CM access walkway on swingarm #9

Apollo 11 space vehicle with astronauts Neil A. Armstrong, , and Edwin E. Aldrin, Jr. lifting o ff July 16, 1969.

liftoff of Apollo 11

liftoff of Apollo 11

Apollo 11 liftoff as viewed from the launch tower

medium-distance view of Apollo 11 liftoff

Moonbound Apollo 11 clears the launch tower

Apollo 11 climbs toward orbit

Launch team members view the Apollo 11 through the firing room windows

Apollo 11 as viewed from an Air Force EC-135N plane

view from Earth orbit

orbital view / Sabine and Ritter craters

Earthrise sequence - Earth emerges over lunar horizon

Earthrise sequence - Earth emerges over lunar horizon

Earthrise sequence - Earth rises over lunar horizon

CSM "Columbia" over Craters Taruntius K, Taruntius P, and Dorsum Cayeux (in Mare Fecunditatis). Partially visible are craters Anvil and Taruntius H.

Inspection of Lunar Module "Eagle" after undocking

July 20, 1969

Flight controllers Charles Duke (Capcom), Jim Lovell (backup CDR) and Fred Haise (backup LMP) during lunar module descent

LM separation from CSM

view from LM window just after landing

July 20, 1969

Armstrong's first photo after setting foot on the Moon

July 20, 1969

lunar surface / LM strut

Aldrin backing out through LM hatch

Aldrin exits the LM

July 20, 1969

Aldrin beside solar wind experiment

Aldrin salutes U.S. Flag

Aldrin's bootprint in the lunar soil

Aldrin poses for portrait / Armstrong's reflection in visor

Armstrong photo of landing site from a distance

LM ascent stage returns from the moon's surface

July 21, 1969

LM approaches CSM for docking / earthrise in b.g.

July 21, 1969

view of full lunar disc during return trip

crescent Earth photographed during return trip

Mission Control celebrates