Space Race

The competition between the USA and USSR to conquer space

October 4, 1957 CEcultural

The Soviet Union launches the first artificial satellite, beginning the Space Age.

Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan

April 12, 1961 CEcultural

Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin completes one orbit of Earth aboard Vostok 1, becoming the first human in space.

Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan

May 25, 1961 CEpolitical

President Kennedy addresses Congress, declaring the goal of landing a man on the Moon before the decade is out.

Washington, D.C.

March 18, 1965 CEcultural

Soviet cosmonaut Alexei Leonov becomes the first person to walk in space during the Voskhod 2 mission.

Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan

July 20, 1969 CEcultural

Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin become the first humans to walk on the Moon while Michael Collins orbits above.

Kennedy Space Center, Florida

April 13, 1970 CEcultural

An oxygen tank explosion cripples Apollo 13, leading to a dramatic rescue mission to return the astronauts safely to Earth.

Kennedy Space Center, Florida

July 17, 1975 CEpolitical

American Apollo and Soviet Soyuz spacecraft dock in orbit, symbolizing détente and ending the Space Race.

Earth orbit