Sixty-one — first human in space

On April 12, 1961, Yuri Gagarin became the first human in space. The flight of Vostok-1 lasted 108 minutes. This year changed human history forever. April 12 is celebrated as Cosmonautics Day.

On August 13, 1961, East Germany began building the Berlin Wall, dividing the city for 28 years. The 155-km wall became the main symbol of the Cold War and the 'Iron Curtain'.

Promethium (Pm) is the only lanthanide with atomic number 61 that does not occur naturally in stable form. All its isotopes are radioactive. Named after the Titan Prometheus. Discovered in 1945.