A few of the many "first" of the Russian Space Industry:

First artificial satellite of Earth:
"Sputnik" (pronounced "Spoot-nik" not Sput-nik") was launched on October 4, 1957 – the beginning of the Space Age.

First space traveler:
The first launching of a living being into space occured aboard Sputnik 2 with a dog named Laika. Launch: November 3, 1957.

First to the Moon:
"Luna-1" (Mechta) – launch: January 2, 1959. Did not impact the Moon as scheduled, but became the orbiter of the Sun.

First photos of the farside of the Moon:
"Luna-3" – launch: October 4, 1959; photo: October 7, 1959.

First toVenus:
"Venera-1" – February 12, 1961.