Sixty years ago today at around 9 AM Moscow time, Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first human to get a view of Earth from space (like this one captured from the International Space Station by astronaut Jeff Williams). With the famous utterance "Poyekhali!" ("Off we go!"), Gagarin launched into low Earth orbit in his Vostok 3KA spacecraft, making history in less than two hours with a complete trip around the planet. Landing in rural Russia, he became an instant worldwide celebrity—that is, after convincing puzzled locals he was a comrade and not a space alien.
In orbit for Yuri s Night
Today in History
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A light on National Hispanic Heritage Month
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What happened to these clouds?
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Bird s-eye view on World Environment Day
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A bird of beauty
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In orbit for Yuri s Night
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A day for the oceans
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International Mountain Day
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South Beach in Miami Beach, Florida
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Vote!
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International Polar Bear Day
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Mekong River Delta, Long An, Vietnam
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Sea fireflies at the seashore
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Avatars of the Wolf Moon
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A giant relic in Java
Bing Wallpaper Gallery

