Yuri Gagarin's Milestones

Yuri Gagarin was a Soviet cosmonaut, first human in space (1961), global icon of space exploration, hero of the Soviet Union.
1934

Birth

Yuri Gagarin was born in Klushino, Smolensk Oblast, Russia, to Aleksey and Anna Gagarin.

Family March 9, 1934
1941

Childhood under German occupation

Lived through Nazi occupation of Klushino during WWII; family home seized, siblings deported, endured hardship and hunger.

Family October 18, 1941 - March 9, 1944
1946

Postwar schooling in Gzhatsk

Moved to Gzhatsk after WWII; attended school, developed interest in science and aviation, built model planes.

Education January 1, 1946 - June 1, 1950
1950

Apprenticeship and technical school

Began apprenticeship as a foundryman in Lyubertsy and attended evening classes; graduated with honors.

Education September 1, 1950 - June 30, 1951
1951

Industrial Technical School, Saratov

Studied tractors at Saratov Industrial Technical School; joined flying club and learned to fly Yak-18.

Education September 1, 1951 - June 1, 1955
1955

Joined Soviet Air Force

Accepted to First Chkalov Higher Air Force Pilots School in Orenburg; trained on Yak-18 and MiG-15.

Career January 1, 1955
1957

Commissioned as lieutenant

Commissioned as a lieutenant in the Soviet Air Forces; posted to Luostari Air Base near Murmansk.

Career November 5, 1957

Married Valentina Goryacheva

Married Valentina Goryacheva, a medical technician, on the day of his graduation from flight school.

Relationship November 7, 1957
1959

Promoted to senior lieutenant

Promoted to senior lieutenant; expressed interest in space exploration after Luna 3 launch.

Career November 6, 1959
1960

Selected as cosmonaut

Selected as one of the first 20 cosmonauts for the Soviet space program; began intensive training.

Career March 7, 1960
1961

Vostok 1 mission and first human in space

Launched aboard Vostok 1, became the first human to travel into space and orbit Earth; parachuted safely to ground after 108-minute flight.

Achievement April 12, 1961

Hero of the Soviet Union

Awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union and became a global celebrity; honored with parades and ceremonies.

Achievement April 14, 1961

World tours and public figure

Toured dozens of countries as a symbol of Soviet achievement; met world leaders and inspired millions.

Achievement May 1, 1961 - January 1, 1963
1962

Deputy and cosmonaut trainer

Served as deputy to the Soviet of the Union, worked as a trainer and administrator at Star City, and designed spacecraft.

Career January 1, 1962 - March 27, 1968
1968

Graduated Air Force Engineering Academy

Defended thesis and graduated cum laude from Zhukovsky Air Force Engineering Academy.

Achievement February 17, 1968

Death in jet crash

Died in a MiG-15UTI crash near Kirzhach during a training flight; ashes interred in the Kremlin Wall, Moscow.

Other March 27, 1968