The Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite, on October 4, 1957. This event marked the beginning of the space age and the "Space Race" between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War. Sputnik's beeping signal and subsequent orbit around Earth showcased Soviet technological capabilities and instilled a mixture of awe and fear in the U.S. This achievement led to significant investments in science and education in the U.S. and accelerated developments in space technology, ultimately culminating in the Apollo moon landing in 1969.