On January 31, 1961, history was made when Ham the chimpanzee became the first ever non-human primate to fly in space. Ham was shot into space from Cape Canaveral, Florida, in a Mercury-Redstone 2 rocket as part of the first U.S. crewed spaceflight program. He spent 16 hours in space before returning to Earth, becoming the first chimpanzee astronaut in the process!

Though Ham was just a passenger on the journey, his successful mission was a major milestone in space exploration. Ham was an inspiration to many, showing that animals can be trained and trusted to work on complex technological projects. He even received a medal from Congress for his bravery and dedication.

Today, we remember Ham as a symbol of scientific progress and groundbreaking achievement. His legacy is an important reminder of what we can achieve when we push the boundaries of exploration and research.