Search Historical Events

1944

World War II: Maastricht becomes the first Dutch city to be liberated by allied forces.

World War II: Maastricht becomes the first Dutch city to be liberated by allied forces.

1916

World War I: Tanks are used for the first time in battle, at the Battle of the Somme.

World War I: Tanks are used for the first time in battle, at the Battle of the Somme.

1961

The world's first retractable roof stadium, the Civic Arena, opens in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The world's first retractable roof stadium, the Civic Arena, opens in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

1916

World War I: Manfred von Richthofen ("The Red Baron"), a flying ace of the German Luftstreitkräfte, wins his first…

World War I: Manfred von Richthofen ("The Red Baron"), a flying ace of the German Luftstreitkräfte, wins his first aerial combat near Cambrai, France.

1946

The first Cannes Film Festival is held, having been delayed for seven years due to World War II.

The first Cannes Film Festival is held, having been delayed for seven years due to World War II.

1953

The Four Level Interchange, first stack interchange in the world opened in Los Angeles.

The Four Level Interchange, first stack interchange in the world opened in Los Angeles.

1950

Korean War: The Battle of Hill 282 is the first US friendly-fire incident on British military personnel since World…

Korean War: The Battle of Hill 282 is the first US friendly-fire incident on British military personnel since World War II.

1960

USS Enterprise, the world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, is launched.

USS Enterprise, the world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, is launched.

1825

The world's first public railway to use steam locomotives, the Stockton and Darlington Railway, is ceremonially opened…

The world's first public railway to use steam locomotives, the Stockton and Darlington Railway, is ceremonially opened with the engine Locomotion pulling wagons with coal and passengers from Shildon t�

2007

Calder Hall, the world's first commercial nuclear power station, is demolished in a controlled explosion.

Calder Hall, the world's first commercial nuclear power station, is demolished in a controlled explosion.

1885

The first practical public electric tramway in the world is opened in Blackpool, England.

The first practical public electric tramway in the world is opened in Blackpool, England.

1954

The U.S. Navy submarine USS Nautilus is commissioned as the world's first nuclear-powered vessel.

The U.S. Navy submarine USS Nautilus is commissioned as the world's first nuclear-powered vessel.

1915

World War I: Radoje Ljutovac becomes the first soldier in history to shoot down an enemy aircraft with ground-to-air…

World War I: Radoje Ljutovac becomes the first soldier in history to shoot down an enemy aircraft with ground-to-air fire.

1989

Denmark introduces the world's first legal same-sex registered partnerships.

Denmark introduces the world's first legal same-sex registered partnerships.

1903

Baseball: The Boston Americans play the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first game of the modern World Series.

Baseball: The Boston Americans play the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first game of the modern World Series.

1919

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Adolfo Luque becomes the first Latin American player to appear in a World Series.

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Adolfo Luque becomes the first Latin American player to appear in a World Series.

1921

The World Series is the first to be broadcast on radio.

The World Series is the first to be broadcast on radio.

1914

World War I: An aircraft successfully destroys another aircraft with gunfire for the first time.

World War I: An aircraft successfully destroys another aircraft with gunfire for the first time.

1945

World War II: Desmond Doss is the first conscientious objector to receive the U.S. Medal of Honor.

World War II: Desmond Doss is the first conscientious objector to receive the U.S. Medal of Honor.

1917

World War I: The First Battle of Passchendaele takes place resulting in the largest single-day loss of life in New…

World War I: The First Battle of Passchendaele takes place resulting in the largest single-day loss of life in New Zealand history.