First Man in Space: 60 Years

Environmental & Science Education, STEM 

Ed Hessler

Sixty years ago CosmonautYuri Gagarin completed a single orbit of the Earth (April 12, 1961) becoming the first man in space. It was both "a huge achievement and propaganda coup"

A little girl and her Grandmother were planting potatoes in the field where he landed. The Soviet plan did not include a landing in the Vostok 1 capsule so at 20000 feet (6096 meters) he ejected and glided to the ground. Vostok means east.

The BBC recently interviewed the little girl who witnessed the event  may be seen here (2m 57s). Both she and her Grandmother were frightened at first. The film was made at the site which now includes an impressive monument marking the achievement.

The woman recalls that his "First words upon returning to Earth near where his capsule landed  The woman asked:  'Can it be that you have come from outer space?' to which Gagarin replied: 'As a matter of fact, I have!'"