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2006

North Korea conducts its first nuclear test.

North Korea conducts its first nuclear test.

1834

Opening of the Dublin and Kingstown Railway, the first public railway on the island of Ireland.

Opening of the Dublin and Kingstown Railway, the first public railway on the island of Ireland.

1831

Ioannis Kapodistrias, the first head of state of independent Greece, is assassinated.

Ioannis Kapodistrias, the first head of state of independent Greece, is assassinated.

1825

Restauration arrives in New York Harbor from Norway, the first organized immigration from Norway to the United States.

Restauration arrives in New York Harbor from Norway, the first organized immigration from Norway to the United States.

1410

The first known mention of the Prague astronomical clock.

The first known mention of the Prague astronomical clock.

1959

Boris Nemtsov, Russian academic and politician, First Deputy Prime Minister of Russia (died 2015)

Boris Nemtsov, Russian academic and politician, First Deputy Prime Minister of Russia (died 2015)

1962

Nick Holonyak, an engineer for General Electric, gave the first public demonstration of a light-emitting diode.

Nick Holonyak, an engineer for General Electric, gave the first public demonstration of a light-emitting diode.

1676

Antonie van Leeuwenhoek wrote a letter to the Royal Society describing "animalcules" – the first known description of…

Antonie van Leeuwenhoek wrote a letter to the Royal Society describing "animalcules" – the first known description of protozoa (pictured).

2007

Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor becomes the first Malaysian in space on board Soyuz TMA-11.

Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor becomes the first Malaysian in space on board Soyuz TMA-11.

1964

The Tokyo Summer Olympics opening ceremony is the first to be relayed live by satellites.

The Tokyo Summer Olympics opening ceremony is the first to be relayed live by satellites.

1933

A United Airlines Boeing 247 is destroyed by sabotage, the first such proven case in the history of commercial aviation.

A United Airlines Boeing 247 is destroyed by sabotage, the first such proven case in the history of commercial aviation.

1933

In the first proven act of sabotage in the history of commercial aviation, a Boeing 247 operated by United Airlines…

In the first proven act of sabotage in the history of commercial aviation, a Boeing 247 operated by United Airlines exploded in mid-air near Chesterton, Indiana, killing all seven people aboard.

1987

The AIDS Memorial Quilt is first displayed during the Second National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights.

The AIDS Memorial Quilt is first displayed during the Second National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights.

1984

Aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger, astronaut Kathryn D. Sullivan becomes the first American woman to perform a space…

Aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger, astronaut Kathryn D. Sullivan becomes the first American woman to perform a space walk.

1968

NASA launches Apollo 7, the first successful crewed Apollo mission.

NASA launches Apollo 7, the first successful crewed Apollo mission.

1962

The Second Vatican Council becomes the first ecumenical council of the Roman Catholic Church in 92 years.

The Second Vatican Council becomes the first ecumenical council of the Roman Catholic Church in 92 years.

1958

NASA launches Pioneer 1, its first space probe, although it fails to achieve a stable orbit.

NASA launches Pioneer 1, its first space probe, although it fails to achieve a stable orbit.

1950

CBS's field-sequential color system for television is the first to be licensed for broadcast by the U.S. Federal…

CBS's field-sequential color system for television is the first to be licensed for broadcast by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission.

1912

First Balkan War: The day after the Battle of Sarantaporo, Greek troops liberate the city of Kozani.

First Balkan War: The day after the Battle of Sarantaporo, Greek troops liberate the city of Kozani.

1910

Piloted by Arch Hoxsey, Theodore Roosevelt becomes the first U.S. president to fly in an airplane.

Piloted by Arch Hoxsey, Theodore Roosevelt becomes the first U.S. president to fly in an airplane.