Earth seen from the International Space Station Apr 12, 2023

Earth seen from the International Space Station

On April 12, 1961, Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin astounded the world by becoming the first person to travel to outer space. In less than two hours, Gagarin completed a full orbit of the Earth in the Vostok 3KA spacecraft. Less than a month later, Mercury astronaut Alan Shepard became the first American in space. The spectacle of looking back at Earth from space has not lost its charm, as you can see in today"s picture taken from the International Space Station. Also known as the "World Space Party," Yuri"s Night is a global celebration of astronomy and a reflection on how space exploration can unite people in a divided world.

© Tim Peake/ESA/NASA via Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Apr 12, 2018Sydney Harbour Bridge in Sydney, Australia
Apr 12, 2019A story of wind and ice
Apr 12, 2020Who created the Easter Bunny?
Apr 12, 2021In orbit for Yuri s Night
Apr 12, 2022International Day of Human Space Flight
Apr 12, 2024Arches National Park, Utah
Apr 12, 2025International Day of Human Space Flight
Apr 12, 2026International Day of Human Space Flight

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Apr 1, 2024April Fools Day
Apr 1, 2021Why do elephants hide in trees?
Oct 19, 2021These laurels are hardy
May 28, 2023Tegallalang terrace farms in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
Mar 12, 2026Juvenile sunbittern displaying at nest, Ecuador
Jun 25, 2022Brown bears, Katmai National Park and Preserve, Alaska
Jun 7, 2023Chaco Culture National Historical Park, New Mexico
Feb 21, 2026Red fox, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Jun 17, 2019World-class art comes to Arkansas
May 23, 2026World Turtle Day
Apr 19, 2024Ring of Brodgar, Orkney, Scotland
Dec 25, 2019Merry and bright
Jan 5, 2025National Bird Day
Apr 3, 2022Lake Tai s cherry trees in bloom
Nov 12, 2025Colosseum, Rome, Italy
Oct 31, 2024Happy Halloween!
Jan 27, 2021A dramatic view of Sicily
Mar 16, 2026National Panda Day
Aug 17, 2020A giant relic in Java
Nov 7, 2018A triumph of light
Jun 3, 2025World Bicycle Day
Jan 17, 2021On the Route of the Waterfalls
Oct 27, 2021Pumpkin patch
Jan 6, 2026Nuuk, Greenland
May 14, 2020Green fields of grain
Jul 21, 2024Kendwa village, Zanzibar, Tanzania
May 11, 2026Great Barrier Reef from above, Queensland, Australia
Dec 22, 2022Galeries Lafayette, Paris
May 18, 2021International Museum Day
Jan 12, 2026Eurasian otter and pup, Estonia