Search Historical Events

2012

Liu Yang (pictured), a member of the Shenzhou 9 crew, became the first Chinese woman in space

Liu Yang (pictured), a member of the Shenzhou 9 crew, became the first Chinese woman in space.

1963

Aboard Vostok 6, Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova (pictured) became the first woman in space

Aboard Vostok 6, Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova (pictured) became the first woman in space.

1913

In Detroit, autoworkers for car manufacturer Studebaker went on strike in the American auto industry's first major strik

In Detroit, autoworkers for car manufacturer Studebaker went on strike in the American auto industry's first major strike action.

1983

Aboard Space Shuttle Challenger, astronaut Sally Ride became the first American woman and third one overall in space

Aboard Space Shuttle Challenger, astronaut Sally Ride became the first American woman and third one overall in space.

1846

The first officially recorded baseball game in U

The first officially recorded baseball game in U.S. history using modern rules was played in Hoboken, New Jersey, with the "New York Nine" defeating the New York Knickerbockers 23–1.

1982

The International Conference on the Holocaust and Genocide, the first major conference in genocide studies, opened despi

The International Conference on the Holocaust and Genocide, the first major conference in genocide studies, opened despite Turkish attempts to cancel it due to the inclusion of presentations on the Ar�

1975

Steven Spielberg's film Jaws was released; it became a summer blockbuster and the first film to earn $100 million in U

Steven Spielberg's film Jaws was released; it became a summer blockbuster and the first film to earn $100 million in U.S. theatrical rentals.

1957

Ellen Fairclough (pictured) became the first woman to be appointed to the cabinet of Canada

Ellen Fairclough (pictured) became the first woman to be appointed to the cabinet of Canada.

1991

The first instalment of the video-game series Sonic the Hedgehog was released in North America

The first instalment of the video-game series Sonic the Hedgehog was released in North America.

1926

The College Board administered the first SAT, a major standardized test for university and college admissions in the Uni

The College Board administered the first SAT, a major standardized test for university and college admissions in the United States.

2010

Julia Gillard (pictured) was sworn in as the first female prime minister of Australia after incumbent Kevin Rudd decline

Julia Gillard (pictured) was sworn in as the first female prime minister of Australia after incumbent Kevin Rudd declined to contest a leadership spill in the Labor Party.

1939

The first of the Thai cultural mandates was issued, officially changing the country's name from Siam to Thailand

The first of the Thai cultural mandates was issued, officially changing the country's name from Siam to Thailand.

1880

"O Canada", the present-day national anthem of Canada, was first performed in Quebec City during a Saint-Jean-Baptiste D

"O Canada", the present-day national anthem of Canada, was first performed in Quebec City during a Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day banquet.

1717

The first Grand Lodge of Freemasonry, the Premier Grand Lodge of England, was founded in London

The first Grand Lodge of Freemasonry, the Premier Grand Lodge of England, was founded in London.

1978

The rainbow flag (original version pictured) representing gay pride was first flown at the San Francisco Gay Freedom Day

The rainbow flag (original version pictured) representing gay pride was first flown at the San Francisco Gay Freedom Day parade.

1967

More than an estimated 400 million people viewed Our World, the first live international satellite television production

More than an estimated 400 million people viewed Our World, the first live international satellite television production.

1906

The 1906 French Grand Prix, the first Grand Prix motor racing competition, began near Le Mans

The 1906 French Grand Prix, the first Grand Prix motor racing competition, began near Le Mans.

1976

The first identifiable case of Ebola occurred in Sudan

The first identifiable case of Ebola occurred in Sudan.

1905

First Russian Revolution: The crew of the Russian battleship Potemkin began a mutiny against their officers

First Russian Revolution: The crew of the Russian battleship Potemkin began a mutiny against their officers.

1571

Queen Elizabeth I issued a royal charter establishing Jesus College, the first Protestant college at the University of O

Queen Elizabeth I issued a royal charter establishing Jesus College, the first Protestant college at the University of Oxford.