Who was the first person in space?

Yuri Gagarin was the first person to travel into space, marking a pivotal moment in human history and the space race. On April 12, 1961, he completed a single orbital flight around the Earth aboard the Vostok 1 spacecraft. This mission demonstrated not only the possibility of human spaceflight but also showcased the capabilities of Soviet space technology at the time. Gagarin's successful flight into space lasted about 108 minutes and made him an international hero, symbolizing the triumph of human ingenuity and exploration. His achievement paved the way for future manned space missions and inspired countless individuals to pursue careers in science and astronautics. The significance of this milestone cannot be overstated, as it represented the first time a human experienced the environment of space and returned safely to Earth.