Oct 04 1957 Sputnik 1 - Sputnik-PS 8K71PS - First Artificial Satellite - Space Race Begins

Sputnik 1, Спутник-1, Satellite 1, sometimes referred to as simply Sputnik, was the first artificial Earth satellite. It was launched into an elliptical low Earth orbit by the Soviet Union on 4 October 1957 as part of the Soviet space program. It sent a radio signal back to Earth for three weeks before its three silver-zinc batteries became depleted. Aerodynamic drag caused it to fall back into the atmosphere on 4 January 1958. 

Wikipedia: Sputnik 01. 

 

 

First artificial satellite orbits the Earth: Russian Space Web.