The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution at a special session on Thursday declaring April 12 the International Day of Human Space Flight.
The resolution was initiated by Russia, which celebrates Causmonaut Day on April 12 dedicated to the historic first manned flight to space by Russia's Yury Gagarin in 1961.
"Fifty years have passed since that amazing voyage, but the legend of Gagarin's courage and journey to the 'final frontier' continues to be a source of inspiration for space exploration for peoples and nations around the world," Kiyo Akasaka, Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information, was quoted as saying on the UN Website.
A photo exhibit was also opened at the UN headquarters to mark the 50th anniversary of the first human flight to space.
On April 12, 1961, Gagarin blasted into the cosomos aboard the Vostok-1 spacecraft, orbiting Earth in 108 minutes and landing safely near Smelovka village in the Saratov Region's Ternovsky District.
UN, April 8 (RIA Novosti)
