International Day of Human Space Flight

The first successful human flight was executed on 12 April 1961 by the Soviet Union cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin. This historical event of the first human space mission set the way for future space exploration for the benefit of all humanity. The United Nations (UN) declared 12 April 1961 as the International Day of Human Space Flight to pay tribute to the historic event.

We commemorate world space day in honor of Yuri Gagarin, the first human to travel to space. He was a Soviet cosmonaut and pilot. For 108 minutes, the spaceship named Vostok 1 circled the Earth at a speed of 27,400 kilometers per hour. Learn more about 12 April 1961, its history, and its significance here.

International Day of Human Space Flight 2023

On 12 April 1961, Yuri Gagarin, a Soviet cosmonaut, successfully became the first human to go to space. Crewing the Vostok 1, Gagarin completed an orbit around the Earth in 108 minutes. 12 April is also observed as Cosmonautics Day in Russia since 1963.

International Day of Human Space Flight is an event that is observed around the world with great enthusiasm. It is a day when people interested in space travel come together and remember the first human space flight. Here is a brief overview of this day:

What Happened on 12 April 1961?

On 12 April 1961, Yuri Gagarin took the first human space flight in a Soviet spacecraft called Vostok 1. He was able to complete one circle around the Earth in the spaceship in 108 minutes. The spaceship was launched from Kazakhstan's Baikonur Cosmodrome on a Vostok K rocket. To honor this event, 12 April has been marked as Cosmonautics Day in the Soviet Union, and it is still celebrated in Russia and certain former Soviet territories.

Later, on 7 April 2011, the United Nations General Assembly established 12 April as the International Day of Human Space Flight. This day is celebrated as Yuri's Night in the United States to honor the cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin.

International Day of Human Space Flight Significance

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) recognized 12 April as the International Day of Human Space Mission to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first human space flight in 2011. The proposal was approved on 7 April in accordance with A/RES/65/271, and an international space day was announced to be observed around the world.

Before the UN took the initiative to raise awareness around the world, Russia used to mark the day as Cosmonautics Day in 1963. Outside of Russia, the United States began commemorating Human's first flight by honoring astronaut Yuri Gagarin on the 40th anniversary of his trip in 2001. Yuri's Night, or "world space party," is observed on this day.

United Nations And Space

The United Nations played a great role in establishing the International Day of Human Space Flight. The United Nations General Assembly announced this day on 7 April 2011 to commemorate the first human space flight on 12 April 1961. Here is some more information about the relation between the UN and space:

• On International Day of Human Space Flight, the UNGA identified the worldwide inquisitiveness about outer space. So, they have taken the initiative to address the scenario to make people aware more of outer space. The resolution has been named as a question of the peaceful use of outer space.
• The UN office for outer space affairs performs the responsibility of establishing peaceful cooperation in outer space.

International Day of Human Space Flight is also significant because it reminds us of other milestones that have been achieved by humankind. The first takeoff of the manmade satellite called Sputnik 1 in 1957, the first landing of humans on the moon in 196, etc., are some of the other accomplishments that people can be proud of.

12 April Special Day

12 April is considered a special day because of the following reasons:

• On 12 April 1961, Yuri Gagarin took the first human space flight. So, this day is celebrated to commemorate this event.
• 12 April has been observed as Cosmonautics Day in Russia since 1963.
• First Space Shuttle launch, STS-1 of Columbia, happened on 12 April 1981.
• In 2001 in the United States, on the 40th anniversary of Gagarin's flight, a "World Space Party" or Yuri's Night was celebrated for the first time. This event is still celebrated annually.

FAQs on International Day of Human Space Flight

Q1. Which day is observed as International Day of Human Space Flight?

12 April is observed as International Day of Human Space Flight. The Soviet Union was the first country that could achieve a major milestone by launching spacecraft into space. It was the first human flight to space, made by the cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin.

Q2. Why do we commemorate the International Day of Human Space Flight?

International Day of Human Space Flight is observed to commemorate the first human space flight that took place on 12 April 1961. The flight was taken by Yuri Gagarin, a Soviet cosmonaut and pilot. To honor this achievement, 12 April is also celebrated as Cosmonautics Day in Russia.

Q3. Who took the first human space flight?

Yuri Gagarin took the first human space flight on 12 April 1961. He was a Soviet aviator and astronaut. His spacecraft was called Vostok 1. The spaceship revolved around the Earth at a speed of 27,400 kilometers per hour for 108 minutes to complete an orbit.

Q4. Why is the International Day of Human Space Flight?

International Day of Human Space Flight is important because the momentous occasion of the first human space flight paved the path for space exploration for the benefit of humanity as a whole. Yuri Alekseyevich Gagarin became the first person to travel into space and completed one orbit of Earth in the Vostok 1 capsule on 12 April 1961.