One of my favorite ways to tease the Russians is about the Space Race, chuckle chuckle.
If you recall, the Space Race was a mid-to-late 20th century competition between the Soviet Union and the United States for supremacy in outer space exploration. Between 1957 and 1975, the Space Race was a particularly poignant factor in the national consciences of both nations, because superiority in space was tied to national security (aka satellite spying) and technological/ideological aspirations.
The major headliners from the Cold War era (and also the primary topics of today's Cold War history classes being taught in Universities) are centered on the spy paranoia, financing of spin-off conflicts in developing countries, and cementing of the military industrial complex into our economy/foreign policy. The Space Race hardly ever gets the attention it deserves, especially when you take into account the positive scientific advancements for the global community that were engendered from investment in education and pure research about our planet.
Perhaps we tend to brush the Space Race under the rug because...we...lost...it. Russian cosmonaut, Yuri Gagarin, was the first man in space, launched from none other than the territory of what is now Kazakhstan. Probably like many of you out there, I had never heard of Yuri Gagarin before (something that is more than just a simple faux pas in the presence of Russians), and I certainly did not know that he was the first man in Space. However, for Kazakhstan, Gagarin is somewhat of a national icon; a man whose name is to the Russians what MLK is to Americans. Not only is Gagarin's name on monuments, squares, streets, and buildings, it is also a national holiday, which we celebrated here in Karaganda on April 12, at Gagarin's Square, not far from our office.
As my co-workers and I set off on foot for Karaganda's 50th Anniversary of Gagarin's space flight (photos below), we hashed out a bit of Cold War rivalry that thrives only in good humor. You see, for them, the Russian victory of the Space Race is unforgettable.
"Gagarin was the first in space, and all of the Soviet Union cheered on the day we won the race", they say.
I can only laugh a little, because I am a product of the Hollywood Apollo depiction of events, where the only thing that matters in American history is that America won the race to the moon.
"Sure, Gagarin was the first man in Space", I concede, "But he didn't do anything. It's like sending your husband to the store for milk and he comes back with nothing". If it wasn't for my playful smile they would be highly offended, and even though they put up a good protest amid their Russian tizzy about how he "almost" went to the moon, I can only say with the American certainty of one small step for man and one giant step for mankind, that,
Almost doesn't count. Get's them every time, wink wink.
If you recall, the Space Race was a mid-to-late 20th century competition between the Soviet Union and the United States for supremacy in outer space exploration. Between 1957 and 1975, the Space Race was a particularly poignant factor in the national consciences of both nations, because superiority in space was tied to national security (aka satellite spying) and technological/ideological aspirations.
The major headliners from the Cold War era (and also the primary topics of today's Cold War history classes being taught in Universities) are centered on the spy paranoia, financing of spin-off conflicts in developing countries, and cementing of the military industrial complex into our economy/foreign policy. The Space Race hardly ever gets the attention it deserves, especially when you take into account the positive scientific advancements for the global community that were engendered from investment in education and pure research about our planet.
Perhaps we tend to brush the Space Race under the rug because...we...lost...it. Russian cosmonaut, Yuri Gagarin, was the first man in space, launched from none other than the territory of what is now Kazakhstan. Probably like many of you out there, I had never heard of Yuri Gagarin before (something that is more than just a simple faux pas in the presence of Russians), and I certainly did not know that he was the first man in Space. However, for Kazakhstan, Gagarin is somewhat of a national icon; a man whose name is to the Russians what MLK is to Americans. Not only is Gagarin's name on monuments, squares, streets, and buildings, it is also a national holiday, which we celebrated here in Karaganda on April 12, at Gagarin's Square, not far from our office.
As my co-workers and I set off on foot for Karaganda's 50th Anniversary of Gagarin's space flight (photos below), we hashed out a bit of Cold War rivalry that thrives only in good humor. You see, for them, the Russian victory of the Space Race is unforgettable.
"Gagarin was the first in space, and all of the Soviet Union cheered on the day we won the race", they say.
I can only laugh a little, because I am a product of the Hollywood Apollo depiction of events, where the only thing that matters in American history is that America won the race to the moon.
"Sure, Gagarin was the first man in Space", I concede, "But he didn't do anything. It's like sending your husband to the store for milk and he comes back with nothing". If it wasn't for my playful smile they would be highly offended, and even though they put up a good protest amid their Russian tizzy about how he "almost" went to the moon, I can only say with the American certainty of one small step for man and one giant step for mankind, that,
Almost doesn't count. Get's them every time, wink wink.
Pretty funny ( -;
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