Basic Information
International Day of Human Space Flight is an annual event observed on April 12. The day remembers the first human space flight by Yuri Gagarin on 12 April 1961.
Observed on: April 12
Organized by: UN, UNOOSA
Introduced in: 2011 (UN Proclamation)
Observed: Worldwide
About International Day of Human Space Flight
Every year 12th April is observed as International Day of Human Space Flight. Date is the anniversary of the first human space flight by Yuri Gagarin (It was on 12 April 1961). On 7 April 2011 at the 65th session, in recognizing the 50th anniversary of the first ever human spaceflight, United Nations General Assembly proclaimed April 12 as International Day of Human Space Flight. This event was a new beginning as this opened the way for space exploration for the benefit of all humanity.
The website of United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) says that the resolution, A/RES/65/271 of 7 April 2011, called it a day “to celebrate each year at the international level the beginning of the space era for mankind, reaffirming the important contribution of space science and technology in achieving sustainable development goals and increasing the well-being of States and peoples, as well as ensuring the realization of their aspiration to maintain outer space for peaceful purposes.”
In Russia and some other countries, this day is also observed as Cosmonautics Day.
Activities and Programs on Day of Human Space Flight
The observation aim to support the use of space science and technology for the common interest of mankind for a peaceful purpose. Programs and events also reaffirm the important contribution of space science and technology in achieving sustainable development goals and increasing the well-being of States and peoples.
Programs are also conducted with an aim to promote aspirations to explore and maintain outer space for peaceful purposes.