Childhood and Education Journey of Buzz Aldrin in Timeline
An overview of the childhood and early education of Buzz Aldrin, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.
Buzz Aldrin is an American former astronaut, engineer, and fighter pilot, most famously known as the second person to walk on the Moon during the Apollo 11 mission in 1969. Prior to this, he piloted the Gemini 12 mission in 1966, undertaking three spacewalks. Aldrin is the last surviving member of the Apollo 11 crew, following the deaths of Neil Armstrong and Michael Collins. His contributions to space exploration have cemented his place as a pivotal figure in the history of space travel.
1919: Father at McCook Field
From 1919, Aldrin's father was the assistant commandant of the Army's test pilot school at McCook Field, Ohio.
1922: Father at McCook Field
Until 1922, Aldrin's father was the assistant commandant of the Army's test pilot school at McCook Field, Ohio.
1928: Father leaves the Army
In 1928, Aldrin's father left the Army and became an executive at Standard Oil.
January 20, 1930: Birth of Edwin Eugene Aldrin Jr.
On January 20, 1930, Edwin Eugene Aldrin Jr. was born at Mountainside Hospital in Glen Ridge, New Jersey.
January 20, 1930: Buzz Aldrin's Birth
On January 20, 1930, Edwin Eugene Aldrin Jr., who later became known as Buzz Aldrin, was born. He would later become an astronaut, engineer, and fighter pilot.
1946: Attended Severn School
In 1946, Aldrin attended Severn School, a preparatory school for the United States Naval Academy, but ultimately chose a different path.
1950: Trip to Japan and the Philippines
In 1950, Aldrin traveled with a group of West Point cadets to Japan and the Philippines to study military government policies.
June 5, 1951: Graduation from West Point
On June 5, 1951, Aldrin graduated third in the class of 1951 from West Point with a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering.
1951: Graduation from West Point
In 1951, Aldrin graduated third in his class from the United States Military Academy at West Point with a degree in mechanical engineering.
December 29, 1954: Aldrin's First Marriage to Joan Archer
On December 29, 1954, Aldrin married Joan Archer, marking his first marriage.
1955: Graduation from Squadron Officer School
In 1955, Aldrin graduated from the Squadron Officer School at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama.
1959: Enrolled at MIT
In 1959, Aldrin enrolled as a graduate student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
January 1963: Earned Sc.D. Degree
In January 1963, Aldrin earned a Sc.D. degree in astronautics from MIT.
1964: Charles Duke Master's Degree at MIT
In 1964, Charles Duke wrote his master's degree at MIT under the supervision of Laurence R. Young.
February 28, 1966: Gemini 9 Crew Deaths
On February 28, 1966, the deaths of the Gemini 9 prime crew, Elliot See and Charles Bassett, in an air crash, led to Lovell and Aldrin being moved up one mission to backup for Gemini 9.
July 21, 1969: Walking on the Moon
On July 21, 1969, Aldrin set foot on the Moon at 03:15:16 UTC, nineteen minutes after Armstrong. He also became the first person to hold a religious ceremony on the Moon by privately taking communion.
December 28, 1974: Death of Aldrin's Father
On December 28, 1974, Buzz Aldrin's father died from complications following a heart attack.
1974: Divorce Filing from Joan Archer
In 1974, Aldrin and Joan Archer filed for divorce, ending their marriage.
December 31, 1975: Aldrin's Second Marriage to Beverly Van Zile
On December 31, 1975, Aldrin married Beverly Van Zile, marking his second marriage.
1976: "Return to Earth" TV Movie
In 1976, the TV movie version of Buzz Aldrin's autobiography "Return to Earth" was released. The movie featured a character based on a woman with whom Aldrin had an affair.
October 1978: Quitting Drinking for Good
In October 1978, after struggling with alcoholism, Buzz Aldrin quit drinking for good. He later attempted to help others with drinking problems.
1978: Aldrin Became a Teetotaler
Aldrin has been a teetotaler since 1978.
1978: Divorce from Beverly Van Zile
In 1978, Aldrin divorced Beverly Van Zile, ending their marriage.
1981: Death of William Holden
In 1981, Buzz Aldrin was saddened by the alcohol-related death of actor William Holden, whom Aldrin had tried to help with his drinking problems.
1985: Joined University of North Dakota
In 1985, Buzz Aldrin joined the University of North Dakota (UND)'s College of Aerospace Sciences and helped develop UND's Space Studies program.
1985: Aldrin Resided in Los Angeles Area
Since 1985, Aldrin has primarily resided in the Los Angeles area, including Beverly Hills and Laguna Beach.
February 14, 1988: Aldrin's Third Marriage to Lois Driggs Cannon
On February 14, 1988, Aldrin married Lois Driggs Cannon, marking his third marriage.
1988: Legal Name Change to Buzz
In 1988, Edwin Eugene Aldrin Jr. legally changed his first name to Buzz.
1998: Travel to the North Pole
In 1998, Buzz Aldrin traveled to the North Pole.
September 9, 2002: Confrontation with Conspiracy Theorist
On September 9, 2002, Buzz Aldrin was confronted by Moon landing conspiracy theorist Bart Sibrel, who demanded Aldrin swear on a Bible that the Moon landings were not faked. Aldrin punched Sibrel in the jaw and no charges were pressed against Aldrin.
2004: Aldrin Appeared at a Rally for George W. Bush
In 2004, Aldrin appeared at a rally for George W. Bush.
2007: Aldrin Confirmed Face-Lift
In 2007, Aldrin confirmed to Time magazine that he had recently had a face-lift, joking about the effects of g-forces in space.
2008: Aldrin Campaigned for Paul Rancatore
In 2008, Aldrin campaigned for Paul Rancatore in Florida.
2009: Magnificent Desolation Autobiography
In 2009, Aldrin's autobiography, Magnificent Desolation, was published, recounting his struggles with clinical depression and alcoholism after leaving NASA.
2009: Publication of "Magnificent Desolation"
In 2009, Buzz Aldrin's autobiography, "Magnificent Desolation," was published, further detailing his struggles with clinical depression and alcoholism in the years after leaving NASA.
December 2012: Divorce Finalized from Lois Driggs Cannon
In December 2012, Aldrin's divorce from Lois Driggs Cannon was finalized, including a financial settlement.
2012: Aldrin on Neil Armstrong's Death
Following the 2012 death of his Apollo 11 colleague Neil Armstrong, Aldrin expressed his deep sadness.
2014: Aldrin Campaigned for Mead Treadwell
In 2014, Aldrin campaigned for Mead Treadwell in Alaska.
2014: Aldrin Sold Westwood Condominium
In 2014, Aldrin sold his Westwood condominium after his third divorce in 2012.
2015: Aldrin Named Chancellor of the International Space University
In 2015, Aldrin was named as the Chancellor of the International Space University.
December 2016: Illness at South Pole
In December 2016, Buzz Aldrin, while visiting the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station in Antarctica, fell ill and was evacuated to McMurdo Station and then to Christchurch, New Zealand. At 86 years old, Aldrin's visit made him the oldest person to reach the South Pole.
2018: Legal Dispute with Children and Former Business Manager
In 2018, Aldrin became involved in a legal dispute with his children and former business manager over concerns about his mental state and finances.
2018: Aldrin Campaigned for Dan Crenshaw
In 2018, Aldrin campaigned for Dan Crenshaw in Texas.
March 2019: Legal Dispute Resolved
In March 2019, the legal dispute involving Aldrin, his children, and former business manager was resolved when his children withdrew their petition and Aldrin dropped the lawsuit.
July 20, 2019: 50th Anniversary of Moon Landing
Aldrin expressed his hope that on July 20, 2019, he, Neil Armstrong, and Michael Collins would be together to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of their moon landing.
2019: Aldrin Attended State of the Union Address
In 2019, Aldrin appeared at the State of the Union Address as a guest of President Donald Trump.
2022: Aldrin's Family in 2022
As of 2022, Aldrin had one grandson, Jeffrey Schuss, born to his daughter Janice, and three great-grandsons and one great-granddaughter.
January 20, 2023: Aldrin Marries Anca Faur
On January 20, 2023, his 93rd birthday, Aldrin announced his fourth marriage to Anca Faur.
2024: Aldrin Endorsed Donald Trump in 2024 Presidential Election
In the 2024 Presidential Election, Aldrin endorsed Donald Trump, citing Trump's promotion of space exploration policy.
