In 1961, Gagarin launched into space on the Vostok 1 spacecraft and spent 108 minutes orbiting around the earth before landing back in Soviet Russia.
Gagarin quickly became an international hero who wanted to continue his work as a pilot and cosmonaut, but his life was tragically cut short in 1968 in a plane crash.
On Tuesday, April 12, Gagarin was celebrated in DC during the annual “Yuri’s Night,” as scientists and NASA-ites gathered on the rooftop of DC9 to celebrate his achievement.
The following week, a permanent bust honoring the cosmonaut was unveiled at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. The event, titled Building Trust — US-Russia Cooperation and the International Space Station featured speeches from NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, the Deputy Director General of Roscomos Sergei V. Saveliev and former US Ambassador to Russia — the Honorable John Beyrle.
Russia’s Ambassador to the United States Sergey Kislyak said that the gift to the museum is another reminder of the things that unite the United States and Russia.
"We are very proud to be able to present it to the museum. We know that it will find an excellent place in the collection," Kislyak stated.
He noted that it is very important, especially for the younger generations in Russia and the United States, to remember how much the two countries can achieve together.
"Space cooperation in this respect is one of the most visible example of successful cooperation," Kislyak added.
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