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1908

Wilbur Wright makes the Wright Brothers' first public flight, at a racecourse at Le Mans, France.

Wilbur Wright makes the Wright Brothers' first public flight, at a racecourse at Le Mans, France.

1786

Mont Blanc on the French-Italian border is climbed for the first time by Jacques Balmat and Dr. Michel-Gabriel Paccard.

Mont Blanc on the French-Italian border is climbed for the first time by Jacques Balmat and Dr. Michel-Gabriel Paccard.

2012

Shannon Eastin becomes the first woman to officiate an NFL game.

Shannon Eastin becomes the first woman to officiate an NFL game.

1974

As a direct result of the Watergate scandal, Richard Nixon becomes the first president of the United States to resign…

As a direct result of the Watergate scandal, Richard Nixon becomes the first president of the United States to resign from office. Vice President Gerald Ford becomes president.

1907

The first Boy Scout encampment concludes at Brownsea Island in southern England.

The first Boy Scout encampment concludes at Brownsea Island in southern England.

1897

The first International Congress of Mathematicians is held in Zürich, Switzerland.

The first International Congress of Mathematicians is held in Zürich, Switzerland.

1810

Napoleon annexes Westphalia as part of the First French Empire.

Napoleon annexes Westphalia as part of the First French Empire.

1610

The First Anglo-Powhatan War begins in colonial Virginia.

The First Anglo-Powhatan War begins in colonial Virginia.

1909

Willa Beatrice Player, American educator, first Black woman college president (died 2003)

Willa Beatrice Player, American educator, first Black woman college president (died 2003)

1974

On the verge of an impeachment and removal from office amid the Watergate scandal, Richard Nixon became the first…

On the verge of an impeachment and removal from office amid the Watergate scandal, Richard Nixon became the first president of the United States to resign.

1897

The first meeting of the International Congress of Mathematicians was held in Zürich, Switzerland.

The first meeting of the International Congress of Mathematicians was held in Zürich, Switzerland.

1953

First Indochina War: The French Union withdraws its forces from Operation Camargue against the Viet Minh in central…

First Indochina War: The French Union withdraws its forces from Operation Camargue against the Viet Minh in central Vietnam.

1953

First Indochina War: The French Union withdrew its forces from Operation Camargue against the Việt Minh in central…

First Indochina War: The French Union withdrew its forces from Operation Camargue against the Việt Minh in central modern-day Vietnam.

1861

American Civil War: The first major battle west of the Mississippi River, the Battle of Wilson's Creek, was fought.

American Civil War: The first major battle west of the Mississippi River, the Battle of Wilson's Creek, was fought.

1755

The first wave of the Expulsion of the Acadians from the present-day Canadian Maritime provinces by the British began…

The first wave of the Expulsion of the Acadians from the present-day Canadian Maritime provinces by the British began with the Bay of Fundy campaign at Chignecto.

2003

NATO takes over command of the peacekeeping force in Afghanistan, marking its first major operation outside Europe in…

NATO takes over command of the peacekeeping force in Afghanistan, marking its first major operation outside Europe in its 54-year-history.

1991

Nickelodeon's first line of "Nicktoons" (Doug, Rugrats & Ren & Stimpy) premiere on the channel.

Nickelodeon's first line of "Nicktoons" (Doug, Rugrats & Ren & Stimpy) premiere on the channel.

1962

Vostok 3 launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome and cosmonaut Andrian Nikolayev becomes the first person to float in…

Vostok 3 launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome and cosmonaut Andrian Nikolayev becomes the first person to float in microgravity.

1934

The first civilian prisoners arrive at the Federal prison on Alcatraz Island.

The first civilian prisoners arrive at the Federal prison on Alcatraz Island.

1929

Babe Ruth becomes the first baseball player to hit 500 home runs in his career with a home run at League Park in…

Babe Ruth becomes the first baseball player to hit 500 home runs in his career with a home run at League Park in Cleveland, Ohio.