<P> About seven minutes after stepping onto the Moon's surface, Armstrong collected a contingency soil sample using a sample bag on a stick . He then folded the bag and tucked it into a pocket on his right thigh . This was to guarantee there would be some lunar soil brought back in case an emergency required the astronauts to abandon the EVA and return to the LM . Twelve minutes after the sample was collected, he removed the TV camera from the MESA and made a panoramic sweep, then mounted it on a tripod . The TV camera cable remained partly coiled and presented a tripping hazard throughout the EVA . Still photography was accomplished with a Hasselblad camera which could be operated hand held or mounted on Armstrong's suit . Aldrin joined Armstrong on the surface . He described the view with the simple phrase: "Magnificent desolation ." </P> <P> Armstrong said that moving in the lunar gravity, one - sixth of Earth's, was "even perhaps easier than the simulations...It's absolutely no trouble to walk around ." Aldrin joined him on the surface and tested methods for moving around, including two - footed kangaroo hops . The PLSS backpack created a tendency to tip backward, but neither astronaut had serious problems maintaining balance . Loping became the preferred method of movement . The astronauts reported that they needed to plan their movements six or seven steps ahead . The fine soil was quite slippery . Aldrin remarked that moving from sunlight into Eagle's shadow produced no temperature change inside the suit, though the helmet was warmer in sunlight, so he felt cooler in shadow . The MESA failed to provide a stable work platform and was in shadow, slowing work somewhat . As they worked, the moonwalkers kicked up gray dust which soiled the outer part of their suits, the integrated thermal meteoroid garment . </P> <P> The astronauts planted a specially designed U.S. flag on the lunar surface, in clear view of the TV camera . Aldrin remembered, "Of all the jobs I had to do on the Moon the one I wanted to go the smoothest was the flag raising ." But the astronauts struggled with the telescoping rod and could only jam the pole a couple of inches into the hard lunar surface . Aldrin was afraid it might topple in front of TV viewers . But he gave "a crisp West Point salute". Before Aldrin could take a photo of Armstrong with the flag, President Richard Nixon spoke to them through a telephone - radio transmission which Nixon called "the most historic phone call ever made from the White House ." Nixon originally had a long speech prepared to read during the phone call, but Frank Borman, who was at the White House as a NASA liaison during Apollo 11, convinced Nixon to keep his words brief, to respect the lunar landing as Kennedy's legacy . </P> <P> Nixon: Hello, Neil and Buzz . I'm talking to you by telephone from the Oval Room at the White House . And this certainly has to be the most historic telephone call ever made . I just can't tell you how proud we all are of what you've done . For every American, this has to be the proudest day of our lives . And for people all over the world, I am sure they too join with Americans in recognizing what an immense feat this is . Because of what you have done, the heavens have become a part of man's world . And as you talk to us from the Sea of Tranquillity, it inspires us to redouble our efforts to bring peace and tranquillity to Earth . For one priceless moment in the whole history of man, all the people on this Earth are truly one: one in their pride in what you have done, and one in our prayers that you will return safely to Earth . </P>

Who was president when we walked on the moon