Laika (c. 1954 – 1957) was one of the first animals in space and the first animal to orbit Earth. A stray mongrel from Moscow, she was selected as the occupant of Sputnik 2 which launched into low orbit on 3 November 1957. The mission aimed to prove that a living passenger could survive being launched into orbit and endure a micro-g environment, leading to human spaceflight and providing data on how living organisms react to spaceflight environments. Laika died within hours from overheating, possibly caused by a failure of the central R-7 sustainer to separate from the payload. The true cause and time of her death were not made public until 2002; instead, it was reported that she died when her oxygen ran out on day six or, as the Soviet government initially claimed, she was euthanised prior to oxygen depletion. On 11 April 2008, a monument to Laika was unveiled near the military research facility that prepared her flight to space. She also appears on the Monument to the Conquerors of Space.

Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laika

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1881:

Indigenous Mapuche began an uprising against the occupation of Araucanía by Chile. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mapuche_uprising_of_1881

1942:

World War II: U.S. Marines and U.S. Army forces began an attempt to encircle and destroy a regiment of Imperial Japanese Army troops on Guadalcanal. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koli_Point_action

1943:

The Holocaust: The largest massacre of Jews by German forces began at Majdanek concentration camp (execution trenches pictured). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Harvest_Festival

1954:

The first film featuring the giant monster known as Godzilla was released nationwide in Japan. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godzilla

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

helm: 1. (nautical) To control the helm (noun sense 1) of (a marine vessel); to be in charge of steering (a vessel). 2. (figuratively) To direct or lead (a project, etc.); to manage (an organization). 3. (nautical) The tiller (or, in a large ship, the wheel) which is used to control the rudder of a marine vessel; also, the entire steering apparatus of a vessel. 4. (by extension) 5. (nautical) The use of a helm (sense 1); also, the amount of space through which a helm is turned. 6. (nautical) The member of a vessel's crew in charge of steering the vessel; a helmsman or helmswoman. 7. Something used to control or steer; also (obsolete), a handle of a tool or weapon; a haft, a helve. 8. (figuratively) 9. A position of control or leadership. 10. One in the position of controlling or directing; a controller, a director, a guide. [...] https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/helm

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

The vital energies regulate themselves naturally without compulsive duty or compulsive morality — both of which are sure signs of existing antisocial impulses.   --Wilhelm Reich https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Wilhelm_Reich