The occasion marks the anniversary of the first human space flight by Yuri Gagarin (USSR).
On this very date back in 1961, Yuri Gagarin carried out the first human space flight. It was a very significant event, paving way for further space exploration for the benefit of all mankind.
Hence, in 2011, the United Nations General Assembly recognized the 50th anniversary of the event and declared April 12 as the International Day of Human Space Flight. The resolution called it a day "to celebrate each year at the international level the beginning of the space era for mankind, reaffirming the important contribution of space science and technology in achieving sustainable development goals and increasing the well-being of States and peoples, as well as ensuring the realization of their aspiration to maintain outer space for peaceful purposes."
Since then, April 12 each year is celebrated as The International Day of Human Space Flight across the world.
About Yuri Gagarin's mission
Soviet astronaut Yuri Gagarin carried out the Vostok 1 mission on April 12, 1961. It was the Vostok program's first spaceflight and the first human orbital spaceflight in history.
Also, Gagarin became the first human ever to reach orbital velocity around the Earth and to complete a full orbit around the Earth.
The flight took 108 minutes from launch to landing.
About the significance of the day
The occasion's main objective is to help us recognize the importance of space exploration.
Several schools, space museums, science centers, and others organize special events on this day dedicated to learning about space. There are special exhibits, lectures, and seminars on the importance of space exploration in the human race.
Some interesting facts
In the Soviet Union, April 12 is commemorated as Cosmonautics Day since 1963.
In 2001, on the 40th anniversary of Gagarin's mission, an international observation, called Yuri's Night, was initiated in the United States.
NASA launched its first Space Shuttle, STS-1 of Columbia, on April 12, 1981.
