The year when the first human went to space was 1961. Yuri Gagarin, a Soviet cosmonaut, made history on April 12, 1961, when he orbited the Earth aboard the Vostok 1 spacecraft. The mission lasted approximately 108 minutes and marked a significant milestone in the Space Race between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War. Gagarin's successful flight not only demonstrated the possibilities of human space travel but also inspired generations of scientists, engineers, and aspiring astronauts. His achievement is celebrated annually as Yuri's Night, often referred to as the World Space Party.