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1625

Sarah Rapelje, the "first white child" of New Netherland (died 1685)

Sarah Rapelje, the "first white child" of New Netherland (died 1685)

1928

Australian aviator Charles Kingsford Smith and his crew landed the Southern Cross in Brisbane, completing the first tran

Australian aviator Charles Kingsford Smith and his crew landed the Southern Cross in Brisbane, completing the first transpacific flight.

1856

The first company of Mormon handcart pioneers left Iowa City for Salt Lake City, Utah

The first company of Mormon handcart pioneers left Iowa City for Salt Lake City, Utah.

1549

The first Book of Common Prayer was legally mandated by Parliament, introducing a fully vernacular Protestant liturgy to

The first Book of Common Prayer was legally mandated by Parliament, introducing a fully vernacular Protestant liturgy to the Church of England.

2002

The first direct electronic communication experiment between the nervous systems of two humans is carried out by Kevin W

The first direct electronic communication experiment between the nervous systems of two humans is carried out by Kevin Warwick in the United Kingdom.

2001

Pope John Paul II canonizes Lebanon's first female saint, Saint Rafqa

Pope John Paul II canonizes Lebanon's first female saint, Saint Rafqa.

1947

Saab produces its first automobile

Saab produces its first automobile.

1854

The United States Naval Academy graduates its first class of students

The United States Naval Academy graduates its first class of students.

1829

The first Boat Race between the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge takes place on the Thames in London

The first Boat Race between the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge takes place on the Thames in London.

1805

First Barbary War: Yusuf Karamanli signs a treaty ending the hostilities between Tripolitania and the United States

First Barbary War: Yusuf Karamanli signs a treaty ending the hostilities between Tripolitania and the United States.

1692

Bridget Bishop became the first person to be executed for witchcraft in the Salem witch trials in colonial Massachusetts

Bridget Bishop became the first person to be executed for witchcraft in the Salem witch trials in colonial Massachusetts.

1929

Margaret Bondfield became the first female member of the Cabinet of the United Kingdom when she was named Minister of La

Margaret Bondfield became the first female member of the Cabinet of the United Kingdom when she was named Minister of Labour by Ramsay MacDonald.

2008

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper makes a historic official apology to Canada's First Nations in regard to abuses a

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper makes a historic official apology to Canada's First Nations in regard to abuses at a Canadian Indian residential school.

2002

Antonio Meucci is acknowledged as the first inventor of the telephone by the United States Congress

Antonio Meucci is acknowledged as the first inventor of the telephone by the United States Congress.

1987

Diane Abbott, Paul Boateng and Bernie Grant are elected as the first black MPs in Great Britain

Diane Abbott, Paul Boateng and Bernie Grant are elected as the first black MPs in Great Britain.

1956

Start of Gal Oya riots, the first reported ethnic riots that target minority Sri Lankan Tamils in the Eastern Province

Start of Gal Oya riots, the first reported ethnic riots that target minority Sri Lankan Tamils in the Eastern Province. The total number of deaths is reportedly 150.

1919

Sir Barton wins the Belmont Stakes, becoming the first horse to win the U

Sir Barton wins the Belmont Stakes, becoming the first horse to win the U.S. Triple Crown.

1825

The first cornerstone is laid for Fort Hamilton in New York City

The first cornerstone is laid for Fort Hamilton in New York City.

1775

The American Revolutionary War's first naval engagement, the Battle of Machias, results in the capture of a small Britis

The American Revolutionary War's first naval engagement, the Battle of Machias, results in the capture of a small British naval vessel.

2008

Canadian prime minister Stephen Harper apologised to the First Nations for past governments' policies of forced assimila

Canadian prime minister Stephen Harper apologised to the First Nations for past governments' policies of forced assimilation.