12 April: International Day of Human Space Flight

Every year 12th April is being observed as the International Day of Human Space Flight to commemorate the date of the first human space flight in the history of mankind.
On this day in 1961, Yuri Gagarin, a Soviet Union (USSR) cosmonaut undertook first successful first human space flight. This historic event opened the way for space exploration for the benefit of all humanity.
In Russia and some other former USSR countries, this historic day is celebrated as Cosmonautics Day. 2016 is the 55th anniversary of First Human Space Flight.
Background
The United Nations (UN) had declared 12 April as the International Day of Human Space Flight after UN General Assembly had passed its resolution A/RES/65/271 of 7 April 2011.
The day seeks to celebrate each year at the international level the beginning of the space era for mankind. It also seeks to reaffirm the important contribution of space science and technology in achieving sustainable development goals for increasing the well-being of peoples and states, as well as ensuring the realisation of their aspiration to maintain outer space for peaceful purposes.

Month: Current Affairs - April, 2016