International Day of Manned Space Flights (Yuri’s Night)
On April 12, 1961 takes place the first Manned Space Voyage by he human being. Our hero, the Russian Yuri Gagarin. Years later, in 2011, the UN General Assembly declares April 12 as the International Day of Manned Space Flights . This Day, the beginning of the Space Age is commemorated throughout the world. It is known as Yuri’s Night.
It is also celebrated on April 12 “The Night of Yuri”. The reason is to commemorate the launching of the First Space Shuttle.
34 countries celebrated “Yuri’s Night” in 2004 with more than 75 individual events. The aim of this celebration is to increase citizens’ interest in the exploration of Space. Another reason is to foster a culture committed to this cause.
The purpose of this International Day is to reaffirm that Science and Space Technology contribute significantly to achieve sustainable development. Other target is to increase the well-being of peoples and States. And especially, to ensure that their aspiration to reserve Outer Space for peaceful purposes is fulfilled.
The events take place in countless countries around the world. Even the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station in Antarctica will have its own event for visiting scientists.
Some of the most outstanding events in the United States will include retired NASA Astronaut Story Musgrave. Other guests are Science Communicator Bill Nye (in Los Angeles) and private astronaut Richard Garriott (in Cocoa Beach, Florida). There will be an event at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. And two events near, previously-flown space shuttles.
Find your local Yuri’s Night at https://yurisnight.net/events/
