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April 12: The Day That We Honor...

Yuri Gagarin, first human in space in 1961: 1st launch of the Space Shuttle, STS-1, in 1981: ...And, inexplicably, International Licorice Day. So to that, please join me in raising a Red Vine and saying "Cheers!" to humanity's achievements in space today!

[Additional 4/12 news from the GLXP community]

@Priesett pointed out that it is also Big Wind Day. Apparently it was a bit breezy at Mount Washington Observatory on April 12, 1931, with a top recorded wind speed of 231 mph/372 km/h. The record has yet to be broken.

@Bob_Richards reminds us that the International Space University was born on April 12, 1987. Happy 23rd birthday, ISU!

@amoroso provides us with an intriguing snapshot of the front page of an Italian newspaper after Gagarin's flight: Thanks for the contributions, folks. If you'd like to add your photos or comments to the mix, feel free to post a comment below or @-reply us on Twitter. Happy Yuri's Night!
Labels: April 12, Just for fun, Space Shuttle, Yuri Gagarin