The Legacy of Yuri Gagarin: First Human in Space

Yuri Gagarin made history on April 12, 1961, as the first human in space, orbiting Earth aboard Vostok 1. His flight was a major Soviet victory during the Cold War. Born in 1934, Gagarin grew up on a farm, later joining the Russian Air Force. Selected for the Soviet space program, he underwent rigorous training. Gagarin's mission proved humans could survive space travel, making him a global celebrity. He became a symbol of Soviet achievement and inspired future space exploration. Tragically, Gagarin died in a plane crash in 1968, but his legacy endures.

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