Yuri Gagarin visits Manchester, 12 July 1961

From the collection of

North West Film Archive at Manchester Metropolitan University
Established in 1977, the North West Film Archive preserves moving images made in or about the North West of England for the education and enjoyment of the region’s people. Part of Manchester Metropolitan University Library’s Cultural Collections, and based within Manchester Central Library’s Archives+ partnership, we are a specialist resource dedicated to saving and growing our region’s rich filmed history.

Yuri Gagarin visits Manchester, 12 July 1961


The chance to see the most famous man in the world - the first man in space - draws huge crowds in Manchester for this once in a lifetime event. On his visit to the city, a smiling Gagarin clearly charms everyone he meets, and he touchingly speaks of his own ambitions, and hopes for future space exploration. Sadly, Gagarin was to die in a plane crash in1968 before he could fulfil these dreams.


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