Birthday greetings to Valentina Tereshkova

The message reads, in part:

"Your name and the glorious pages of your professional biography are rightly associated with the outstanding successes and achievements of our national cosmonautics.

Needless to say, your many years of public service, legislative work, and your unwavering dedication to your vocation and to your Motherland command the deepest respect."

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Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman in space, took off in her Vostok-6 spacecraft on June 16, 1963. The spacecraft circled the Earth 48 times during its three-day mission.

Valentina Tereshkova is actively engaged in public and political work. She is a State Duma deputy.