In photos: Our journey into space
It was 56 years ago today that Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became known as "the first man in space."
An undated portrait of Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, who orbited the earth in a space ship. This picture was released April 12, 1961. / TRT World and Agencies
Our recorded history suggests that mankind has always been interested in space exploration –perhaps because of our curiosity about the unknown. But the journey of humans into space began not so long ago.
It was 56 years ago today that Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became known as "the first man in space."