SU-FDC 1991 MiBl0219 B002g - Public domain photogrpaph

Yuri Gagarin was a Soviet pilot and cosmonaut who became the first human to journey into outer space when he orbited the Earth on April 12, 1961. Gagarin's flight, which lasted just under two hours, was a landmark moment in the history of space exploration and cemented the Soviet Union's position as a leader in the Cold War space race. Gagarin's accomplishment made him an international celebrity and a national hero in the Soviet Union. Gagarin's flight on April 12, 1961 was a major milestone in the history of space exploration and it generated a huge amount of excitement and interest around the world. The Soviet Union was hailed as a leader in the field of space technology, and Gagarin himself became an international celebrity. He was celebrated as a hero in the Soviet Union and was awarded many honors, including the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. In the aftermath of his historic flight, he met many important people and dignitaries from around the world. He met with Soviet leaders such as Nikita Khrushchev and Leonid Brezhnev, and he also met with foreign leaders such as John F. Kennedy and Charles de Gaulle. Gagarin also traveled widely as a goodwill ambassador for the Soviet Union and met with many ordinary people during his trips. Yuri Gagarin died in a plane crash on March 27, 1968 at the age of 34. The details of the crash are not well known, but it is believed that a malfunction in the flight control system caused the plane to go down. Gagarin was killed along with his flight instructor, Vladimir Seryogin. His death was a major loss for the Soviet Union and the global scientific community.