Yuri Gagarin was a Soviet cosmonaut who became the first human being ever to travel into space, orbiting the Earth once aboard the Vostok 1 spacecraft on April 12, 1961. He grew up on a farm and worked as a foundryman before becoming a pilot, and his flight made him one of the most famous people on the planet almost overnight. He was beloved around the world for his warm, easy smile, which became nearly as famous as his historic journey.