When did the "race for space" begin?

The "race for space" is closely associated with the Cold War competition between the United States and the Soviet Union, which intensified in the late 1950s. The event that is widely marked as the beginning of this race is the launch of Sputnik 1 by the Soviet Union on October 4, 1957. Sputnik was the first artificial Earth satellite, and its successful launch showcased the USSR's advancements in rocket technology and space exploration capabilities. This stirred significant concern and competition in the U.S., prompting investments in science and technology and eventually leading to a series of milestones in space exploration.

This context is crucial to understanding why 1957 is recognized as the pivotal moment when the race for space truly began, setting into motion events that would shape space exploration for decades to come. The other years mentioned do not correspond with the initiation of significant space endeavors, as they either precede the technological breakthroughs represented by Sputnik or fall into different phases of the Cold War.