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1940

Seven hundred and twenty-eight Polish political prisoners from Tarnów become the first inmates of the Auschwitz concentr

Seven hundred and twenty-eight Polish political prisoners from Tarnów become the first inmates of the Auschwitz concentration camp.

1937

Pennsylvania becomes the first (and only) state of the United States to celebrate Flag Day officially as a state holiday

Pennsylvania becomes the first (and only) state of the United States to celebrate Flag Day officially as a state holiday.

1839

Henley Royal Regatta: the village of Henley-on-Thames, on the River Thames in Oxfordshire, stages its first regatta

Henley Royal Regatta: the village of Henley-on-Thames, on the River Thames in Oxfordshire, stages its first regatta.

1800

The French Army of First Consul Napoleon Bonaparte defeats the Austrians at the Battle of Marengo in Northern Italy and

The French Army of First Consul Napoleon Bonaparte defeats the Austrians at the Battle of Marengo in Northern Italy and re-conquers Italy.

1618

Joris Veseler prints the first Dutch newspaper Courante uyt Italien, Duytslandt, &c

Joris Veseler prints the first Dutch newspaper Courante uyt Italien, Duytslandt, &c. in Amsterdam (approximate date).

1216

First Barons' War: Prince Louis of France takes the city of Winchester, abandoned by John, King of England, and soon con

First Barons' War: Prince Louis of France takes the city of Winchester, abandoned by John, King of England, and soon conquers over half of the kingdom.

1877

Ida MacLean, British biochemist, the first woman admitted to the London Chemical Society (died 1944)

Ida MacLean, British biochemist, the first woman admitted to the London Chemical Society (died 1944)

1949

Albert II, rhesus macaque, animal astronaut, and first mammal in space

Albert II, rhesus macaque, animal astronaut, and first mammal in space

1644

First English Civil War: Prince Maurice abandoned his siege of Lyme Regis in Dorset after learning of the approach of a

First English Civil War: Prince Maurice abandoned his siege of Lyme Regis in Dorset after learning of the approach of a Parliamentarian relief force.

1977

After the death of dictator Francisco Franco in 1975, the first democratic elections take place in Spain

After the death of dictator Francisco Franco in 1975, the first democratic elections take place in Spain.

1944

In the Saskatchewan general election, the CCF, led by Tommy Douglas, is elected and forms the first socialist government

In the Saskatchewan general election, the CCF, led by Tommy Douglas, is elected and forms the first socialist government in North America.

1919

John Alcock and Arthur Brown complete the first nonstop transatlantic flight when they reach Clifden, County Galway, Ire

John Alcock and Arthur Brown complete the first nonstop transatlantic flight when they reach Clifden, County Galway, Ireland.

1948

Henry McLeish, Scottish footballer, academic, and politician, 2nd First Minister of Scotland

Henry McLeish, Scottish footballer, academic, and politician, 2nd First Minister of Scotland

2012

American acrobat Nik Wallenda became the first person to walk a tightrope stretched directly over Niagara Falls

American acrobat Nik Wallenda became the first person to walk a tightrope stretched directly over Niagara Falls.

1921

Bessie Coleman (pictured) became the first Black person to earn an international pilot's license from the Fédération Aér

Bessie Coleman (pictured) became the first Black person to earn an international pilot's license from the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale.

2016

Shanghai Disneyland Park, the first Disney Park in mainland China, opens to the public

Shanghai Disneyland Park, the first Disney Park in mainland China, opens to the public.

2012

China successfully launches its Shenzhou 9 spacecraft, carrying three astronauts, including the first female Chinese ast

China successfully launches its Shenzhou 9 spacecraft, carrying three astronauts, including the first female Chinese astronaut Liu Yang, to the Tiangong-1 orbital module.

2010

Bhutan becomes the first country to institute a total ban on tobacco

Bhutan becomes the first country to institute a total ban on tobacco.

1963

Soviet Space Program: Vostok 6 mission: Cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova becomes the first woman in space

Soviet Space Program: Vostok 6 mission: Cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova becomes the first woman in space.

1903

Roald Amundsen leaves Oslo, Norway, to commence the first east–west navigation of the Northwest Passage

Roald Amundsen leaves Oslo, Norway, to commence the first east–west navigation of the Northwest Passage.