Cosmonautics Day – Celebrating Yuri Gagarin’s Historic Spaceflight This Soviet propaganda poster commemorates one of the most significant milestones in human history—the first human spaceflight by Yuri Gagarin on April 12, 1961. The bold design features a portrait of Gagarin, smiling in his cosmonaut helmet marked СССР (USSR), alongside a rocket launch site, capturing the technological triumph of the Soviet Union in the Space Race. The vertical red and blue gradient symbolizes the transition from Earth to the cosmos, reflecting the Soviet vision of space exploration as a collective national achievement. The date 12.IV.61 is prominently displayed, emphasizing Cosmonautics Day, which became an annual Soviet celebration of its pioneering role in space travel. This poster was likely displayed in schools, workplaces, and public institutions to inspire scientific progress, patriotism, and admiration for Soviet space achievements. It reflects the height of Soviet space propaganda, reinforcing the narrative of the USSR’s superiority in space exploration and the ideological struggle with the West during the Cold War. Details: • Production Year: Likely 1960s-1970s • Format: 60 × 90 cm • Print Run: Not specified • Printing Method: Offset printing • Original Price: Not specified • Language: Russian • Artist: В. Сурис (V. Suris) • Condition: Visible wear and aging, adding to its authenticity This Cosmonautics Day poster served as a powerful piece of Soviet space propaganda, celebrating Yuri Gagarin’s monumental achievement while reinforcing the USSR’s ideological and scientific dominance in the Cold War-era Space Race.