Eyes Full Of Stars

On the morning of April 12^th, 1961, the chimes atop the Kremlin’s Spassky tower greeted the new day. A day that would see the name Yuri Gagarin rise from virtual anonymity to worldwide acclaim. Monday is the 49^th anniversary of Yuri Gagarin’s pioneering single orbit trip around the Earth. With a total flight time of 108 minutes, his journey opened the first chapter in the history of manned spaceflight.

Born in the western Russian village of Klushino on March 9^th 1934, Yuri Gagarin lived with his 3 siblings and parents. His mother was an avid reader and his father was a carpenter. Later, as German forces invaded their country, Yuri’s father joined the Russian Army. Soon afterward, his mother relocated the family away from the war zone.