A closer look at key historic events that took place on April 12:
In 1981, the first space shuttle is launched
NASA launched Columbia, which was designed to orbit Earth, transport people and cargo to and from orbiting spacecraft, and glide to a runway landing on its return to Earth.

In 1961, Yuri Gagarin becomes the first human in space

The Soviet Cosmonaut orbited the Earth aboard the Vostok-3KA spacecraft on April 12, 1961. His vehicle circled Earth at a speed of 27,400 kilometers per hour with his flight lasting 108 minutes. After reentering Earth’s atmosphere he was ejected from the spacecraft and landed by parachute.

In 1892, the first portable typewriter is patented in the US

The Blickensderfer typewriter was invented by George Canfield Blickensderfer, the nephew of John Celivergos Zachos, the inventor of the stenotype. Two models, Model 1 and Model 5, were unveiled to the public in 1893.

In 1861, the American Civil War begins

The hostilities began with the bombardment of Fort Sumter near Charleston, South Carolina. The war went on between the Northern states (Union) and the Southern states (Confederacy) until 1865.

In 1606, the Union Flag becomes the national flag of England

A precursor to the Union Jack, this new flag represented the regal union between England and Scotland. Specified in a royal decree, the flag of England, a red cross on a white background and the flag of Scotland, a white saltire on a blue background, would be joined.

– Don’t miss out on To Vima’s daily “On this Day in History” posts.