Pin, Conquerors of Space

Pins or znachki have a long Russian tradition. In the 19th century, workers received these pins as a reward for work done. During the Soviet period, the emphasis on their use shifted to acting as souvenirs of national celebrations. By the late 1960s, schoolchildren began to collect and exchange the pins. Today, space-themed znachki are popular among collectors worldwide. People of all ages wear the pins to celebrate and acknowledge anniversaries, programs, and individuals of the space program. This pin is a souvenir from the Monument to the Conquerors of Space in Moscow.