Yuri Gagarin embarked on the historic first manned space flight on 12 April 1961. Twenty years later on 12 April 1981, the US launched the first space shuttle flight. Every year on April 12, people around the world celebrate the first man in space and the first space shuttle flight. The celebration is called Yuri’s Night. Last year there were over 90 events or parties held in over 30 countries worldwide – and this year may be even bigger. The range of events is as diverse as the people who hold them – even the residents of the International Space Station have been known to join in the fun!
You can find an event near you or plan to host your own gathering at the official Yuri’s Night website: http://www.yurisnight.net/2008/
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