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1941

Konrad Zuse presents the Z3, the world's first working programmable, fully automatic computer, in Berlin

Konrad Zuse presents the Z3, the world's first working programmable, fully automatic computer, in Berlin.

1958

Ben Carlin becomes the first (and only) person to circumnavigate the world by amphibious vehicle, having travelled over

Ben Carlin becomes the first (and only) person to circumnavigate the world by amphibious vehicle, having travelled over 17,000 kilometres (11,000 mi) by sea and 62,000 kilometres (39,000 mi) by land d�

1891

The International Electrotechnical Exhibition opened in Frankfurt, Germany, featuring the world's first long-distance tr

The International Electrotechnical Exhibition opened in Frankfurt, Germany, featuring the world's first long-distance transmission of high-power, three-phase electric current (the most common form tod�

1911

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

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

1891

The International Electrotechnical Exhibition opens in Frankfurt, Germany, featuring the world's first long-distance tra

The International Electrotechnical Exhibition opens in Frankfurt, Germany, featuring the world's first long-distance transmission of high-power, three-phase electric current (the most common form toda�

1927

Charles Lindbergh touches down at Le Bourget Field in Paris, completing the world's first solo nonstop flight across the

Charles Lindbergh touches down at Le Bourget Field in Paris, completing the world's first solo nonstop flight across the Atlantic Ocean.

2015

The Republic of Ireland becomes the first nation in the world to utilise a public referendum to legalise gay marriage

The Republic of Ireland becomes the first nation in the world to utilise a public referendum to legalise gay marriage.

1683

The Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, England, opens as the world's first university museum

The Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, England, opens as the world's first university museum.

1992

The first World Oceans Day is celebrated, coinciding with the Earth Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The first World Oceans Day is celebrated, coinciding with the Earth Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

1892

The Limelight Department, one of the world's first film studios, is officially established in Melbourne, Australia

The Limelight Department, one of the world's first film studios, is officially established in Melbourne, Australia.

1944

World War II: Germany launches the first V1 Flying Bomb attack on England

World War II: Germany launches the first V1 Flying Bomb attack on England. Only four of the eleven bombs strike their targets.

1895

Émile Levassor wins the world's first real automobile race

Émile Levassor wins the world's first real automobile race. Levassor completed the 732-mile course, from Paris to Bordeaux and back, in just under 49 hours, at a then-impressive speed of about fifteen�

1960

Charlotte Motor Speedway holds its first NASCAR race, the inaugural World 600

Charlotte Motor Speedway holds its first NASCAR race, the inaugural World 600.

1943

World War II: The Royal Air Force launches Operation Bellicose, the first shuttle bombing raid of the war

World War II: The Royal Air Force launches Operation Bellicose, the first shuttle bombing raid of the war. Avro Lancaster bombers damage the V-2 rocket production facilities at the Zeppelin Works whil�

1877

Alexander Graham Bell installs the world's first commercial telephone service in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Alexander Graham Bell installs the world's first commercial telephone service in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

1940

World War II: Operation Collar, the first British Commando raid on occupied France, by No 11 Independent Company

World War II: Operation Collar, the first British Commando raid on occupied France, by No 11 Independent Company.

1717

The Premier Grand Lodge of England is founded in London, the first Masonic Grand Lodge in the world (now the United Gran

The Premier Grand Lodge of England is founded in London, the first Masonic Grand Lodge in the world (now the United Grand Lodge of England).

1944

World War II: Mogaung is the first place in Burma to be liberated from the Japanese by British Chindits, supported by th

World War II: Mogaung is the first place in Burma to be liberated from the Japanese by British Chindits, supported by the Chinese.

1937

The world's first emergency telephone number, 999, is introduced in London

The world's first emergency telephone number, 999, is introduced in London.

1991

The Finnish operator Radiolinja is launched as the world's first GSM network.

The Finnish operator Radiolinja is launched as the world's first GSM network.