Manchester still remembers Gagarin - the first spaceman
The first cosmonaut, Yuri Gagarin, visited Britain three months after his space flight, between 11-14 July 1961.
The Soviet embassy in the UK wanted to bring him to London as part of his world tour - but at first, the British government was reluctant to grant Gagarin a visa.
He was eventually allowed to come for one day, but it quickly became a state visit and was extended by two days.
This allowed Gagarin to visit Manchester, where he was invited by the Union of Foundry Workers - being a foundry worker himself, before becoming a cosmonaut.
Some of the people of Manchester who still remember that day, 50 years ago, recall what happened.
08 Apr 2011
- From the section World