62nd Anniversary of Yuri Gagarin’s exploit
Today marks the 62nd anniversary of Yuri Gagarin’s feat, the first man to travel into outer space. On April 12, 1961, the Soviet cosmonaut and pilot took off aboard the Vostok 1 capsule and completed an orbit around the Earth in 108 minutes. It was a historic milestone that marked the beginning of the space race between the Soviet Union and the United States.
He dreamed of being an astronaut since he was a child.
Gagarin was born in the village of Klushino, in the western oblast of the Soviet Union, on March 9, 1934. As a child he dreamed of becoming a pilot and enlisted in the Soviet Air Force. In 1960 he was selected for the space program along with five other candidates. After passing the physical and psychological tests, he was chosen to be the world’s first cosmonaut.
Worldwide celebrity
His space flight made him an international celebrity and a national hero. He received numerous decorations and honors, including Hero of the Soviet Union, his country’s highest distinction. He was also elected a deputy of the Supreme Soviet Soviet Union and a member of the International Academy of Astronautics. In addition, he became deputy training director of the Cosmonaut Training Center, which would later bear his name.
Never returned to space
Gagarin never returned to space, although he was designated as a reserve crew member for the Soyuz 1 mission, which ended in a fatal accident for his friend and fellow cosmonaut Vladimir Komarov. The Soviet government forbade him to return to space to preserve his life, but could not prevent his tragic fate.
Died in 1968
On March 27, 1968, Gagarin was killed along with his flight instructor Vladimir Seryogin when the MiG-15 fighter they were piloting crashed near the city of Kirzhach. The causes of the crash have never been fully clarified and have given rise to various theories and speculations.
Buried with honors
Gagarin was buried with honors in the Necropolis of the Kremlin Wall in Moscow. His legacy lives on in the collective memory and in the numerous monuments, museums, streets and cities that bear his name.
