The executive order reads, in part:
“On April 12, 1961, exactly 50 years ago, the first manned space flight took place. This day has special significance for Russia’s people, since it was our compatriot, Yury Gagarin, who became the first man in space.
To celebrate Cosmonautics Day and the 50th anniversary of this first space flight, I hereby order that a 50-gun salute be carried out in Moscow, capital of the Russian Federation, at 10.00 pm on April 12, 2011.”