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1839

The United Kingdom captures Hong Kong as a base as it prepares for the First Opium War with Qing China.

The United Kingdom captures Hong Kong as a base as it prepares for the First Opium War with Qing China.

1628

George Villiers, the first Duke of Buckingham, is assassinated by John Felton.

George Villiers, the first Duke of Buckingham, is assassinated by John Felton.

1998

First radio-frequency identification (RFID) human implantation tested in the United Kingdom.

First radio-frequency identification (RFID) human implantation tested in the United Kingdom.

1989

Tadeusz Mazowiecki is chosen as the first non-communist prime minister in Central and Eastern Europe.

Tadeusz Mazowiecki is chosen as the first non-communist prime minister in Central and Eastern Europe.

1950

Edith Sampson becomes the first black U.S. delegate to the United Nations.

Edith Sampson becomes the first black U.S. delegate to the United Nations.

1932

Amelia Earhart becomes the first woman to fly across the United States non-stop (from Los Angeles to Newark, New…

Amelia Earhart becomes the first woman to fly across the United States non-stop (from Los Angeles to Newark, New Jersey).

1911

Manuel de Arriaga is elected and sworn in as the first President of Portugal.

Manuel de Arriaga is elected and sworn in as the first President of Portugal.

1898

Count Muravyov, Foreign Minister of Russia presents a rescript that convoked the First Hague Peace Conference.

Count Muravyov, Foreign Minister of Russia presents a rescript that convoked the First Hague Peace Conference.

1789

The first naval battle of the Svensksund began in the Gulf of Finland.

The first naval battle of the Svensksund began in the Gulf of Finland.

1608

The first official English representative to India lands in Surat.

The first official English representative to India lands in Surat.

1200

King John of England, signer of the first Magna Carta, marries Isabella of Angoulême in Angoulême Cathedral.

King John of England, signer of the first Magna Carta, marries Isabella of Angoulême in Angoulême Cathedral.

1456

The oldest known version of the Gutenberg Bible, the first major book produced on a printing press, was completed.

The oldest known version of the Gutenberg Bible, the first major book produced on a printing press, was completed.

410

Rome was sacked for the first time in approximately 800 years by the Visigoths under Alaric I.

Rome was sacked for the first time in approximately 800 years by the Visigoths under Alaric I.

2012

Voyager 1 spacecraft enters interstellar space, becoming the first man-made object to do so.

Voyager 1 spacecraft enters interstellar space, becoming the first man-made object to do so.

1991

Linus Torvalds announces the first version of what will become Linux.

Linus Torvalds announces the first version of what will become Linux.

1948

The House Un-American Activities Committee holds first-ever televised congressional hearing: "Confrontation Day"…

The House Un-American Activities Committee holds first-ever televised congressional hearing: "Confrontation Day" between Whittaker Chambers and Alger Hiss.

1912

The Kuomintang is founded for the first time in Peking.

The Kuomintang is founded for the first time in Peking.

1875

Captain Matthew Webb becomes the first person to swim across the English Channel, traveling from Dover, England, to…

Captain Matthew Webb becomes the first person to swim across the English Channel, traveling from Dover, England, to Calais, France, in 21 hours and 45 minutes.

1835

The first Great Moon Hoax article is published in The New York Sun, announcing the discovery of life and civilization…

The first Great Moon Hoax article is published in The New York Sun, announcing the discovery of life and civilization on the Moon.

1609

Galileo Galilei demonstrates his first telescope to Venetian lawmakers.

Galileo Galilei demonstrates his first telescope to Venetian lawmakers.