Happy birthday Buzz Aldrin

Happy birthday Buzz.

Buzz Aldrin, the celebrated astronaut who was the second person to walk on the moon during NASA's Apollo 11 mission in 1969, carries a legacy that extends beyond his extraordinary contributions to space exploration. Born Edwin Eugene Aldrin Jr. on January 20, 1930, in Glen Ridge, New Jersey, he inherited a rich cultural heritage that includes deep ties to Sweden. His paternal grandfather, Karl Johan Aldrin, was born in 1866 in Stjärnfors Bruk, a small community in Norra Råda parish, Värmland, Sweden.

Karl Johan Aldrin, Buzz Aldrin’s grandfather, emigrated from Sweden to the United States in search of opportunities, as did many Swedes during the late 19th century. This period saw significant emigration due to economic hardships and limited prospects in Sweden. The Aldrin family’s journey reflects the broader Scandinavian immigrant experience, characterized by resilience and the pursuit of a better future in America.

When Karl Johan Aldrin was born on 7 July 1866, in Norra Råda, Värmland, Sweden, his father, Jan Henric Aldrin, was 49 and his mother, Brita Eriksdotter, was 36. He married Anna Nilsdotter on 26 December 1887, in Norra Råda, Värmland, Sweden. They were the parents of at least 2 sons and 3 daughters. He lived in Borra, Gräsmark, Värmland, Sweden in 1886 and Worcester, Massachusetts for about 40 years.

Buzz Aldrin’s father, Edwin Eugene Aldrin Sr., was a pioneer in his own right, serving as an aviation engineer and a colonel in the U.S. Air Force. This lineage of innovation and exploration undoubtedly influenced Buzz’s path to becoming an astronaut.