National International Day of Human Space Flight

The International Day of Human Space Flight is an annual celebration held on April 12th to commemorate the historic first human spaceflight by Yuri Gagarin in 1961. This day honors the achievements of humanity in space exploration and promotes international cooperation for the peaceful use of outer space.

Quick Facts

When is it?: April 12
Tagged as: Space Exploration, Human Achievement, International Cooperation
What’s the hashtag?: #HumanSpaceFlightDay
When was it founded?: April 7, 2011
Who founded it?: United Nations General Assembly

History of International Day of Human Space Flight

On April 12, 1961, Yuri Gagarin, a Soviet cosmonaut, became the first human to journey into outer space aboard the Vostok 1 spacecraft. This groundbreaking event marked the beginning of human exploration beyond Earth. To celebrate this milestone, the United Nations declared April 12 as the International Day of Human Space Flight in 2011, reaffirming the importance of space science and technology for sustainable development and peaceful purposes.

Timeline

1957: The Soviet Union launches Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite.
1961: Yuri Gagarin becomes the first human in space.
1981: NASA launches its first Space Shuttle mission, STS-1 Columbia, on April 12.
2011: UN General Assembly officially declares April 12 as International Day of Human Space Flight.
2021: The world celebrates the 60th anniversary of human spaceflight.

Dates by Next Year (2025–2030)

Year	Month and Date	Day
2025	April 12	Saturday
2026	April 12	Sunday
2027	April 12	Monday
2028	April 12	Wednesday
2029	April 12	Thursday
2030	April 12	Friday

Observed

The day is observed globally through various activities:

Public lectures and exhibitions about space exploration.
Educational programs in schools and planetariums.
Online campaigns promoting space science.
Special events by organizations like NASA and ESA.

Fun Facts About Human Space Flight

Yuri Gagarin’s flight lasted only 108 minutes, completing one orbit around Earth.
The Vostok spacecraft reached a maximum altitude of 327 kilometers (203 miles).
The first American astronaut to orbit Earth was John Glenn in 1962.
The first woman in space was Valentina Tereshkova in 1963.

Quiz

Who was the first human to orbit Earth?
A) Neil Armstrong
B) Yuri Gagarin
C) Alan Shepard
(Answer: B)
What year was the International Day of Human Space Flight established?
A) 2000
B) 2011
C) 1995
(Answer: B)
What spacecraft carried Yuri Gagarin into space?
A) Apollo
B) Vostok 1
C) Soyuz
(Answer: B)

FAQs

Q: Why is April 12 significant for human spaceflight?
A: It marks the anniversary of Yuri Gagarin’s historic flight in 1961.

Q: How can I celebrate this day?
A: Visit a planetarium, read about space exploration, or share your thoughts on social media using #HumanSpaceFlightDay.