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625

Paulinus was consecrated as the first bishop of York by Justus, the archbishop of Canterbury.

Paulinus was consecrated as the first bishop of York by Justus, the archbishop of Canterbury.

1963

The United Kingdom granted self-government to Sarawak (first flag pictured), the day would be celebrated as Sarawak Day.

The United Kingdom granted self-government to Sarawak (first flag pictured), the day would be celebrated as Sarawak Day.

1817

Windham William Sadler made the first successful aerial crossing of the Irish Sea, which he accomplished by balloon.

Windham William Sadler made the first successful aerial crossing of the Irish Sea, which he accomplished by balloon.

1298

First War of Scottish Independence: English forces led by Edward I defeated William Wallace's Scottish troops at the…

First War of Scottish Independence: English forces led by Edward I defeated William Wallace's Scottish troops at the Battle of Falkirk.

1209

A crusader army captured Béziers, France, and massacred the city's inhabitants in the first major military action of…

A crusader army captured Béziers, France, and massacred the city's inhabitants in the first major military action of the Albigensian Crusade.

2001

Megawati Sukarnoputri was sworn in (pictured) as the first female president of Indonesia following her predecessor's…

Megawati Sukarnoputri was sworn in (pictured) as the first female president of Indonesia following her predecessor's impeachment.

1927

Wilfred Rhodes of England and Yorkshire became the only person to play in 1,000 first-class cricket matches.

Wilfred Rhodes of England and Yorkshire became the only person to play in 1,000 first-class cricket matches.

1921

The first National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party opened in a house in Shanghai.

The first National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party opened in a house in Shanghai.

2007

Pratibha Patil was sworn in as the first female president of India.

Pratibha Patil was sworn in as the first female president of India.

2016

Hillary Clinton (pictured) became the first female nominee for president of the United States by a major political…

Hillary Clinton (pictured) became the first female nominee for president of the United States by a major political party at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.

1887

L. L. Zamenhof (pictured) published Unua Libro, the first publication to describe Esperanto, a constructed…

L. L. Zamenhof (pictured) published Unua Libro, the first publication to describe Esperanto, a constructed international language.

1778

On the orders of Catherine the Great the first of tens of thousands of Greek and Armenian Christians were removed from…

On the orders of Catherine the Great the first of tens of thousands of Greek and Armenian Christians were removed from Crimea and resettled in Pryazovia.

1965

Mattachine Midwest, a gay rights organization in Chicago, held its first meeting.

Mattachine Midwest, a gay rights organization in Chicago, held its first meeting.

1943

As the Surprise Hurricane struck Texas, a United States Army Air Forces pilot made the first reconnaissance flight…

As the Surprise Hurricane struck Texas, a United States Army Air Forces pilot made the first reconnaissance flight into a hurricane.

1778

The Battle of Ushant, the first encounter between the French and British fleets in the American Revolutionary War,…

The Battle of Ushant, the first encounter between the French and British fleets in the American Revolutionary War, ended indecisively and led to political disputes in both countries.

1689

First Jacobite rising: Scottish and Irish Jacobites defeated Williamite forces at Killiecrankie, Scotland.

First Jacobite rising: Scottish and Irish Jacobites defeated Williamite forces at Killiecrankie, Scotland.

1302

Byzantine–Ottoman wars: The Ottoman sultanate gained its first major victory against the Byzantine Empire at the…

Byzantine–Ottoman wars: The Ottoman sultanate gained its first major victory against the Byzantine Empire at the Battle of Bapheus in Bithynia.

1866

Aged 18, Vinnie Ream became the youngest artist and first woman to receive a United States government commission for a…

Aged 18, Vinnie Ream became the youngest artist and first woman to receive a United States government commission for a statue—that of Abraham Lincoln currently in the Capitol rotunda.

1954

The Fellowship of the Ring, the first part of J. R. R. Tolkien's novel The Lord of the Rings, was published by Allen &…

The Fellowship of the Ring, the first part of J. R. R. Tolkien's novel The Lord of the Rings, was published by Allen & Unwin.

2018

Emmerson Mnangagwa (pictured) was elected to his first full term as president, having served as leader since the 2017…

Emmerson Mnangagwa (pictured) was elected to his first full term as president, having served as leader since the 2017 Zimbabwean coup d'état.