1. Sputnik I orbits Earth (October 4, 1957) - This was the first artificial satellite to orbit Earth, marking a significant milestone in the space race.

2. NASA formed (July 29, 1958) - The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) was established in response to the Soviet Union's lead in the space race.

3. Yuri Gagarin orbits Earth (April 12, 1961) - The Soviet cosmonaut became the first human to orbit the Earth.

4. John Glenn orbits Earth (February 20, 1962) - The first American to orbit Earth, John Glenn's mission was a crucial step for the United States in catching up with the Soviets.

5. Neil Armstrong lands on the moon (July 20, 1969) - A monumental achievement, this marked the first time a human set foot on the moon.