International Day of Human Space Flight / Cosmonaut Day
About International Day of Human Space Flight / Cosmonaut Day
Date When Celebrated: International Day of Human Space Flight is always observed on April 12
Today is Cosmonaut Day. This April 12 holiday is also called the International Day of Human Space Flight.
Space flight began with unmanned flights. Like any new technology, it was a learning process. Like any new process, things can go wrong, and things did go wrong. Once rocket science improved and became safer, monkeys were launched into space, to test the safety of space travel and how it might affect humans. Finally, a human being was launched into space. Russian astronaut Yuri Gagarin became the first man in space on April 12, 1961, aboard Vostok 1. He spent 108 minutes in space, orbiting the planet once. This flight marked the beginning of the space race between the USSR and the U.S. While Russia (then the USSR) put the first man in space, the United States went on to be the first to put a man on the moon. Gagarin’s space flight was the catalyst to create Cosmonaut Day.
Fifty years after that momentous space flight, the 65th Session of the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed this day to be “International Day of Human Space Flight“, to mark the beginning of space flight by humans. Resolution # A/RES/65/271 stressed the importance of human space flight to science and technology. While this event started as a Russian celebration of a major Russian accomplishment, it is truly a celebration for all mankind to savor.
This day is also called the International Day of Human Space Flight. This title seems much more appropriate, as it is far more inclusive.
How to Celebrate Cosmonaut Day / International Day of Human Space Flight
This holiday is out of this world. Here are some ways you can participate and enjoy this otherworldly holiday:
- Read a book on the history of space flight.
- Watch a movie or documentary about space flight.
- Learn more about the history of space flight, including space activities in all countries that are active in space.
- Become current about current space plans and activities.
- Watch a movie about space. May we suggest Apollo 13?
- Go outside tonight to look at the stars, planets, and the moon.
- Check the International Space Station schedule to see if you can see it in the night sky tonight.
Today's Quote
The early bird might get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.
History and Origin of Cosmonaut Day
On April 9, 1962, USSR’s Supreme Council decreed April 12 to be Cosmonaut Day. It is celebrated yearly in Russia and a number of other countries.
This holiday has evolved into International Day of Human Space Flight, as it is far more inclusive. In addition to Russian cosmonauts, it now recognizes astronauts from every country. And it recognizes all individuals involved in making space flight a reality.
This Day in History
Here are a couple of things that happened on International Day of Human Space Flight:
- The Civil War begins when Confederate troops opened fire on the Union garrison at Fort Sumter, SC. 40,000 shells were fired before the Union troops surrendered. No one was killed. (1862)
- By an Act of Congress, Puerto Rico becomes a U.S., territory. (1900)
- David Letterman, TV personality, comedian was born on this day in 1947.
Related Holidays
People who like International Day of Human Space Flight will also like:
More April 12 Holidays
In addition to the International Day of Human Space Flight, here are more April 12 holidays for you to celebrate and enjoy:
Big Wind Day – this day blows me away!
More About Today
What happened on this Day? This Day in History
Recipe of the Day: Peas with Sour Cream
Flower of the Day: Poppy
Ecards We’ve got you covered with free daily Ecards for just about any other holiday, occasion, event, or no event at all!
Holiday Insights, where every day is a holiday, a bizarre or wacky day, an observance, or a special event. Join us in the daily calendar fun each and every day of the year.
Did You Know? There are literally thousands of daily holidays, special events, and observances, more than one for every day of the year. Many of these holidays are new, too. People and organizations are creating new holidays on a regular basis. Consequently, at Holiday Insights, we take great efforts to thoroughly research and document the details of each one, as completely and accurately as possible.