On this day, April 12, in 1961, a citizen of the Soviet Union, Major Yuri Gagarin by spaceship "Vostok" for the first time in the world made orbital flight of the Earth, opening the era of manned space flights. He made one turn around the Earth that continued 108 minutes.
The development of manned flights is in stages with the progress of scientific and technological results and new scientific, economic and technical problems. From the first manned spacecraft and space stations to multi-purpose space manned orbital complex - this is the way traversed by the Soviet manned space flights.
Cosmonautics Bright successes - the natural result of selfless work of many thousands of people, dozens of labor groups, who do all they can for the progress of the space industry.
According to the decision of the International Aeronautical Federation the April, 12 is the International Day of Aviation and Cosmonautics.
In Ukraine, this day is called the Day of the space industry of Ukraine and fixed by Presidential Decree ? 230/97of March 13, 1997, respectively, its celebration is held every year on April 12.