The United Nations General Assembly officially declared April 12 as the International Day of Human Space Flight, commemorating Yuri Gagarin’s 1961 orbit. The day celebrates peaceful exploration of outer space.
📍 New York City, United States
South African President F.W. de Klerk met with Nelson Mandela, recently released from prison, to begin formal negotiations to end apartheid. The meeting marked a turning point toward democratic transition in South Africa.
📍 Cape Town, South Africa
NASA launched STS-1, the first space shuttle mission, with Columbia carrying astronauts John Young and Robert Crippen into orbit. It marked the beginning of the reusable spacecraft era and a new chapter in human spaceflight.
📍 Cape Canaveral, Florida, United States
The United Nations convened its first special session on disarmament, with global leaders discussing nuclear arms control and peaceful development. It marked a major diplomatic milestone in Cold War-era global security talks.
📍 New York City, United States
The Soviet Union finalized preparations for launching Salyut 1, the world's first space station, representing a major step in long-term human space habitation. The station was launched later in the month.
📍 Baikonur Cosmodrome, USSR
Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first human to travel into space and orbit Earth aboard Vostok 1. The mission marked a major Cold War victory for the USSR and launched the era of human space exploration.
📍 Baikonur Cosmodrome, USSR
The USSR confirmed the success of Luna 2, the first human-made object to reach the Moon, setting the stage for future lunar missions. The confirmation on April 12 coincided with Yuri Gagarin’s historic orbit.
📍 Moon / USSR
Dr. Jonas Salk’s polio vaccine was declared safe and effective, leading to one of the most successful public health campaigns in history. The vaccine drastically reduced global polio cases and paved the way for eradication efforts.
📍 Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
Bill Haley & His Comets recorded 'Rock Around the Clock,' which would become one of the most influential songs in rock and roll history. The song helped popularize the genre globally and marked a cultural turning point.
📍 New York City, United States
Kai Tak Airport in Hong Kong began handling international flights, quickly becoming one of Asia’s busiest hubs. Its iconic runway approach became a symbol of global aviation before its closure in 1998.
📍 Hong Kong
The B-52 Stratofortress, a long-range strategic bomber, completed its first flight. It would become one of the most iconic aircraft of the Cold War, serving for over 70 years in the U.S. Air Force.
📍 Seattle, Washington, United States
The United Nations convened its first Human Rights Tribunal to investigate post-war atrocities and set precedents for international justice. It laid foundations for later institutions like the ICC and Human Rights Council.
📍 Lake Success, New York, United States
Japan held its first general election following World War II, with women voting and running for office for the first time. It was a pivotal step in the country’s democratization under U.S. occupation.
📍 Tokyo, Japan
U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt died suddenly in Warm Springs, Georgia, during his fourth term in office. He was succeeded by Harry S. Truman, who would lead the U.S. through the end of World War II and the dawn of the atomic age.
📍 Warm Springs, Georgia, United States
The Francoist regime in Spain officially adopted a new national flag featuring the black eagle of St. John. It symbolized authoritarian rule and remained in use until democratic reforms decades later.
📍 Madrid, Spain
Just days after General Lee's surrender, President Abraham Lincoln delivered his final public speech from the White House balcony, addressing the reintegration of Southern states. He was assassinated three days later.
📍 Washington, D.C., United States
Confederate forces opened fire on Fort Sumter in South Carolina, beginning the American Civil War. The four-year conflict would result in immense casualties and lead to the abolition of slavery in the United States.
📍 Charleston, South Carolina, United States
The 'Bangkok Recorder,' edited by American missionary Dan Beach Bradley, was published in Thailand as the region’s first Euro-American newspaper. It played a key role in spreading Western ideas and news in Southeast Asia.
📍 Bangkok, Thailand
The U.S. Congress established the Patent Office to grant protection for inventors, marking a foundational moment in the formalization of intellectual property rights in modern law.
📍 Washington, D.C., United States
The Treaty of Utrecht was signed, ending the War of the Spanish Succession and redrawing major European boundaries. It marked the rise of British maritime power and a new balance of power across Europe and its colonies.
📍 Utrecht, Netherlands