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1861

Pakistan's (then a part of British India) first railway line opens, from Karachi to Kotri

Pakistan's (then a part of British India) first railway line opens, from Karachi to Kotri.

2017

Eurovision Song Contest: Portugal won the contest for the first time, with the song "Amar pelos dois," performed by Salv

Eurovision Song Contest: Portugal won the contest for the first time, with the song "Amar pelos dois," performed by Salvador Sobral (pictured).

1995

Alison Hargreaves became the first woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest without the aid of Sherpas or bottled oxyg

Alison Hargreaves became the first woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest without the aid of Sherpas or bottled oxygen.

1967

Zakir Husain took office as the first elected Muslim President of India

Zakir Husain took office as the first elected Muslim President of India.

1725

Johann Sebastian Bach first performed the church cantata Sie werden euch in den Bann tun, BWV 183 in Leipzig, Germany

Johann Sebastian Bach first performed the church cantata Sie werden euch in den Bann tun, BWV 183 in Leipzig, Germany.

2021

China successfully lands Zhurong, the country's first Mars rover

China successfully lands Zhurong, the country's first Mars rover.

2010

Space Shuttle Atlantis launches on the STS-132 mission to deliver the first shuttle-launched Russian ISS component — Ras

Space Shuttle Atlantis launches on the STS-132 mission to deliver the first shuttle-launched Russian ISS component — Rassvet. This was originally slated to be the final launch of Atlantis, before Cong�

1973

Skylab, the United States' first space station, is launched

Skylab, the United States' first space station, is launched.

1879

The first group of 463 Indian indentured laborers arrives in Fiji aboard the Leonidas

The first group of 463 Indian indentured laborers arrives in Fiji aboard the Leonidas.

1870

The first game of rugby in New Zealand is played in Nelson between Nelson College and the Nelson Rugby Football Club

The first game of rugby in New Zealand is played in Nelson between Nelson College and the Nelson Rugby Football Club.

1832

The Battle of Stillman's Run, the first battle of the Black Hawk War, was fought

The Battle of Stillman's Run, the first battle of the Black Hawk War, was fought.

1796

Edward Jenner administers the first smallpox inoculation

Edward Jenner administers the first smallpox inoculation.

1747

War of the Austrian Succession: A British fleet under Admiral George Anson defeats the French at the First Battle of Cap

War of the Austrian Succession: A British fleet under Admiral George Anson defeats the French at the First Battle of Cape Finisterre.

1097

The Siege of Nicaea begins during the First Crusade

The Siege of Nicaea begins during the First Crusade.

1900

Cai Chang, Chinese first leader of All-China Women's Federation (died 1990)

Cai Chang, Chinese first leader of All-China Women's Federation (died 1990)

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The first day of Izumo-taisha Shrine Grand Festival

The first day of Izumo-taisha Shrine Grand Festival. (Izumo-taisha)

2023

The UN commemorates the Palestinian Nakba Day for the first time

The UN commemorates the Palestinian Nakba Day for the first time.

1991

Édith Cresson becomes France's first female Prime Minister

Édith Cresson becomes France's first female Prime Minister.

1957

At Malden Island in the Pacific Ocean, Britain tests its first hydrogen bomb in Operation Grapple

At Malden Island in the Pacific Ocean, Britain tests its first hydrogen bomb in Operation Grapple.

1940

Richard and Maurice McDonald open the first McDonald's restaurant

Richard and Maurice McDonald open the first McDonald's restaurant.