Space Race timeline

Sputnik 1

Oct 4, 1957

Sputnik 1 was the first satellite to be put in space. It was launched by the USSR starting the soviet space program.
https://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/imagegallery/image_feature_924.html

Explorer 1

Jan 31, 1958

Explorer 1 was the first satellite launched by the United States this started what would be known as the space race between the United States and Russia https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/explorer/explorer-overview.html

Ham the astrochimp

Jan 31, 1961

Ham the chimpanzee was the first human-like animal to be launched into space. He was used by NASA to test the Mercury capsule for human use. https://www.nasa.gov/image-feature/chimpanzee-ham-with-trainers

Yuri Gagarin

Apr 12, 1961

Yuri Gagarin was the first man in space furthering Russia's lead in the space race. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/first-man-in-space#:~:text=On%20April%2012%2C%201961%2C%20aboard,space%20capsule%20in%2089%20minutes.

Alan Shepard

May 5, 1961

Alan Shepard was the first American astronaut and second man overall to be in space and he later walked on the moon. https://spacecenter.org/first-american-in-space/#:~:text=58%20years%20ago%2C%20Alan%20Shepard%20was%20launched%20into%20history%20aboard,inside%20his%20Freedom%207%20capsule.

Gemini Program

Jun 3, 1965

During part of the Gemini program specifically Gemini 4 the first spacewalk was done by Ed White. https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/gemini_4_eva.html

Apollo 1

Jan 27, 1967

An attempt for space travel that ultimately ended in tragedy. The spacecraft caught on fire and three astronauts died.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/apollo/missions/apollo1.html

Apollo 11

Jul 20, 1969

Apollo 11 was the first manned flight to land on the moon and return to earth safely. It carried astronauts Neil Armstrong Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/apollo/apollo11.html