Search Historical Events

2004

Massachusetts became the first U

Massachusetts became the first U.S. state to legalize same-sex marriage.

1900

The first copies of the children's novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L

The first copies of the children's novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum were printed.

1975

Japanese climber Junko Tabei (pictured) became the first woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest

Japanese climber Junko Tabei (pictured) became the first woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest.

1960

American physicist Theodore Maiman operated the first working laser at Hughes Research Laboratories in Malibu

American physicist Theodore Maiman operated the first working laser at Hughes Research Laboratories in Malibu.

1959

The Tritons' Fountain in Valletta, one of Malta's most important Modernist landmarks, was turned on for the first time

The Tritons' Fountain in Valletta, one of Malta's most important Modernist landmarks, was turned on for the first time.

1929

The first Academy Awards ceremony was held at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles, California

The first Academy Awards ceremony was held at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles, California.

1866

The United States Congress authorized the minting of the Shield nickel (example pictured), the country's first five-cent

The United States Congress authorized the minting of the Shield nickel (example pictured), the country's first five-cent piece to be made of a copper–nickel alloy.

1911

Parks Canada, the world's first national park service, was established as the Dominion Parks Branch under the Department

Parks Canada, the world's first national park service, was established as the Dominion Parks Branch under the Department of the Interior.

2012

The first of two major earthquakes struck Northern Italy, resulting in seven deaths

The first of two major earthquakes struck Northern Italy, resulting in seven deaths.

1947

The first session of the National Diet opened in Tokyo, Japan

The first session of the National Diet opened in Tokyo, Japan.

1609

Thomas Thorpe published the first copies of Shakespeare's sonnets, possibly without William Shakespeare's consent

Thomas Thorpe published the first copies of Shakespeare's sonnets, possibly without William Shakespeare's consent.

1515

Ulysses, who would be famously depicted in a posthumous woodcut, landed in Lisbon, becoming the first of his species to

Ulysses, who would be famously depicted in a posthumous woodcut, landed in Lisbon, becoming the first of his species to visit Europe in a thousand years.

1897

The first Blackwall Tunnel under the River Thames was opened to improve commerce and trade in the East End of London

The first Blackwall Tunnel under the River Thames was opened to improve commerce and trade in the East End of London.

1826

HMS Beagle (pictured) departed on her first voyage from Plymouth for a hydrographic survey of the Patagonia and Tierra d

HMS Beagle (pictured) departed on her first voyage from Plymouth for a hydrographic survey of the Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego regions of South America.

1974

The Airbus A300, the first twin-engined wide-body airliner, went into service with Air France

The Airbus A300, the first twin-engined wide-body airliner, went into service with Air France.

1533

Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury, annulled Henry VIII's marriage to his first wife Catherine of Aragon (pictured

Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury, annulled Henry VIII's marriage to his first wife Catherine of Aragon (pictured), beginning events that would culminate in the English Reformation.

1956

The first edition of the Eurovision Song Contest was held in Lugano, Switzerland

The first edition of the Eurovision Song Contest was held in Lugano, Switzerland.

1930

English aviator Amy Johnson landed in Darwin, becoming the first woman to fly solo from England to Australia

English aviator Amy Johnson landed in Darwin, becoming the first woman to fly solo from England to Australia.

1830

The nursery rhyme "Mary Had a Little Lamb" was first published as a poem by Sarah Josepha Hale

The nursery rhyme "Mary Had a Little Lamb" was first published as a poem by Sarah Josepha Hale.

1683

Oxford University's Ashmolean Museum, the world's first university museum, opened

Oxford University's Ashmolean Museum, the world's first university museum, opened.