What is the first thing you remember about space race?

The first thing I remember about the Space Race is the intense competition between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War, particularly marked by significant events like the launch of Sputnik in 1957, which was the first artificial satellite. This event shocked the U.S. and spurred a sense of urgency to advance American space technology, leading to the Apollo program and ultimately the moon landing in 1969. The Space Race symbolized not only technological prowess but also ideological rivalry between the two superpowers.