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Yuri Gagarin becomes first human in space; Kennedy responds

Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin completed the first human orbital flight on April 12, prompting President Kennedy to publicly acknowledge the Soviet achievement and emphasize the need to accelerate the U.S. space effort.

Yuri Gagarin becomes first human in space; Kennedy responds

Gagarin's flight intensified Cold War competition in space and influenced Kennedy's push to expand and speed up American manned space programs as a matter of national prestige and security.

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