Space Day in China is observed every April 24 to celebrate the achievements of the Chinese space program. This holiday was inaugurated in 2016 to commemorate the launch of China’s first space satellite, Dong Fang Hong I, on April 24, 1970. The date marks a significant milestone in China's efforts to develop its own satellite capabilities, initiated by Mao Zedong in response to the Soviet Union's launch of Sputnik 1 in 1957. The successful launch of Dong Fang Hong I made China the second space-faring nation in Asia and the fifth in the world. The event is associated with the Long March 1 rocket launch from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, which was part of China's "Two Bombs, One Satellite" project. Celebrations may include educational activities and public events highlighting the advancements in space exploration and technology by the China National Space Administration, which oversees the country's space program.