International Day of Human Space Flight Apr 12, 2026

Today, the world marks the International Day of Human Space Flight, a United Nations observance honoring the first human journey into space and the start of the space age for humanity. The date recalls April 12, 1961, when Yuri Gagarin orbited Earth, proving that people could leave the planet and return safely.

© NASA

palette

Today in History

Apr 12, 2018Sydney Harbour Bridge in Sydney, Australia
Apr 12, 2019A story of wind and ice
Apr 12, 2020Who created the Easter Bunny?
Apr 12, 2021In orbit for Yuri s Night
Apr 12, 2022International Day of Human Space Flight
Apr 12, 2023Earth seen from the International Space Station
Apr 12, 2024Arches National Park, Utah
Apr 12, 2025International Day of Human Space Flight

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Jul 2, 2023Its Halfway Day!
Dec 30, 2023Daiichi Tadami River Bridge, Fukushima, Japan
Jan 10, 2026The Matterhorn reflected in Lake Stellisee at sunrise, Zermatt, Switzerland
May 15, 2024The Blue City of Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
Jul 14, 2018Does this shark have an Irish accent?
Dec 23, 2021Festivus
Oct 8, 2025World Octopus Day
Aug 3, 2018Taking the scenic route to Sturgis
Sep 25, 2018Walking among the giants
Jan 29, 2025Chinese New Year
Sep 27, 2024Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute, Venice, Italy
Aug 11, 2020Sea fireflies at the seashore
Jul 7, 2022Heceta Head Light, Florence, Oregon
Jul 22, 2025Badlands National Park in South Dakota
Nov 20, 2024World Childrens Day
May 1, 2022AAPI Heritage Month & Lei Day
Nov 1, 2019The National Museum of the American Indian
Oct 15, 2024Great wildebeest migration at Mara River, Kenya
Feb 25, 2026Mendenhall Glacier, Alaska
Mar 31, 2019Celebrating a Paris landmark
Oct 30, 2018A species worth defending
Dec 19, 2020Four Sisters, thousands of trees
Jan 23, 2026Þorrablót, Icelandic midwinter festival
Dec 6, 2022Everglades National Park turns 75
Jul 29, 2020Góða ólavsøku, from the Faroes!
Dec 23, 2023Festivus
Aug 5, 2021A swim in the sky
May 10, 2019Looking back on 150 years of rail travel
Aug 4, 2025Great gray owls in their nest, Finland
Dec 14, 2019The Christmas Bird Count begins