Gagarin’s Day – A Celebration of Human Achievement
On April 12, 1961, the world witnessed one of humanity’s greatest achievements: Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Alekseyevich Gagarin became the first human to travel into space!
Aboard the spacecraft Vostok 1, Gagarin completed a 108-minute orbital flight around the Earth, continuing the space era that had begun just a few years earlier, on October 4, 1957, with the launch of the world’s first artificial satellite — the Soviet Sputnik 1.
Gagarin’s triumph was made possible thanks to the extraordinary efforts of engineers, scientists, and countless contributors to the Soviet space program. The mission was led by Sergey Pavlovich Korolev, the Father of Cosmonautics — after whom Samara National Research University is named.
This day, now celebrated as the International Day of Human Space Flight (or Gagarin’s Day, as we like to call it), serves as a reminder of how far science, technology, and human determination can take us.
Yuri Gagarin
Gagarin’s legacy didn’t end with his historic flight. Even after winning multiple medals and being deemed a national hero, Gagarin refused to rest on his oars. He continued to serve his country with dedication — becoming a deputy of the Supreme Soviet, taking on leadership roles in cosmonaut training, flying regularly, and even graduating cum laude from the Zhukovsky Air Force Engineering Academy.
Gagarin was not only a pioneer — he was a lifelong learner and a true symbol of perseverance.
The importance of celebrating Gagarin's day
Our present is built upon the achievements of those who came before us. Each contribution is a step toward the future of space science we continue to shape today.
By celebrating Gagarin’s Day, we honor the courage, vision, and innovation that opened the door to space exploration. We remember how far science can take us, and encourage future generations to dream even bigger.
Why is Samara important?
Samara is not known as the Space Capital of Russia in vain: it was in Kuybishev (today, Samara) that the third stage of Gagarin's rocket Vostok 1 was built.
After completing his flight, Gagarin came to Kuibyshev to thank the engineers and workers who had built the rocket that launched him. This started a tradition: following Gagarin’s example, it became customary for cosmonauts to visit Samara after spaceflights.
Celebrate it with us!
The Interuniversity Department of Space Research invites all space enthusiasts to celebrate this day with us!
Take part in our exciting Gagarin’s Day Contest — featuring unique and exclusive prizes.
Let’s celebrate the legacy of the first human in space — together!