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1963

The first cat in space, later known as Félicette, launched aboard a French Véronique rocket.

The first cat in space, later known as Félicette, launched aboard a French Véronique rocket.

1906

The Robert Burns Memorial Statue, the first public statue erected in New Brunswick, was dedicated in Fredericton.

The Robert Burns Memorial Statue, the first public statue erected in New Brunswick, was dedicated in Fredericton.

1565

The first recorded naval battle between Europeans and the Japanese occurred when a flotilla of samurai attacked two…

The first recorded naval battle between Europeans and the Japanese occurred when a flotilla of samurai attacked two Portuguese trade vessels at the Battle of Fukuda Bay in Nagasaki.

2017

Canadian astronomer Robert Weryk discovered ʻOumuamua (depicted), the first known interstellar object detected passing…

Canadian astronomer Robert Weryk discovered ʻOumuamua (depicted), the first known interstellar object detected passing through the Solar System.

1965

Vietnam War: The Siege of Plei Me began with the first major confrontation between soldiers of the North Vietnamese…

Vietnam War: The Siege of Plei Me began with the first major confrontation between soldiers of the North Vietnamese Army and the U.S. Army.

1955

At a meeting of its general assembly, the European Broadcasting Union approved the staging of the first Eurovision…

At a meeting of its general assembly, the European Broadcasting Union approved the staging of the first Eurovision Song Contest.

2011

First Libyan Civil War: Muammar Gaddafi, the deposed Libyan leader, was captured by rebel forces during the Battle of…

First Libyan Civil War: Muammar Gaddafi, the deposed Libyan leader, was captured by rebel forces during the Battle of Sirte, and was killed shortly thereafter.

1939

Pope Pius XII (pictured) published his first encyclical, Summi Pontificatus, which critiqued ideologies such as…

Pope Pius XII (pictured) published his first encyclical, Summi Pontificatus, which critiqued ideologies such as racism, cultural superiority and totalitarianism.

1726

Johann Sebastian Bach led the first performance of Es erhub sich ein Streit, a cantata for Michaelmas.

Johann Sebastian Bach led the first performance of Es erhub sich ein Streit, a cantata for Michaelmas.

1910

HMS Niobe arrived in Halifax Harbour to become the first large ship of the Royal Canadian Navy.

HMS Niobe arrived in Halifax Harbour to become the first large ship of the Royal Canadian Navy.

1867

The first and second of three treaties were signed near Medicine Lodge, Kansas, between the United States federal…

The first and second of three treaties were signed near Medicine Lodge, Kansas, between the United States federal government and several Native American tribes in the Great Plains, requiring them to r�

1096

First Crusade: At the Battle of Civetot, the Seljuk forces of Kilij Arslan destroyed the army of the People's Crusade…

First Crusade: At the Battle of Civetot, the Seljuk forces of Kilij Arslan destroyed the army of the People's Crusade as it marched toward Nicaea.

1966

With their album The Supremes A' Go-Go, the Supremes became the first all-female group to reach number one on the…

With their album The Supremes A' Go-Go, the Supremes became the first all-female group to reach number one on the Billboard 200 chart.

1964

The first volume of Ian Fleming's children's novel Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang was published posthumously.

The first volume of Ian Fleming's children's novel Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang was published posthumously.

1724

J. S. Bach led the first performance of the chorale cantata Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele (Adorn yourself, O dear…

J. S. Bach led the first performance of the chorale cantata Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele (Adorn yourself, O dear soul), based on the communion hymn of the same name, in Leipzig.

1934

Jeannette Piccard (pictured) piloted a hot-air balloon flight that reached 57,579 feet (17,550 m), becoming the first…

Jeannette Piccard (pictured) piloted a hot-air balloon flight that reached 57,579 feet (17,550 m), becoming the first woman to fly in the stratosphere.

1796

War of the First Coalition: The Battle of Schliengen was fought between the French and Austrian armies, who both…

War of the First Coalition: The Battle of Schliengen was fought between the French and Austrian armies, who both claimed victory.

1789

The Brabant Revolution, sometimes considered to be the first expression of Belgian nationalism, began with the…

The Brabant Revolution, sometimes considered to be the first expression of Belgian nationalism, began with the invasion of the Austrian Netherlands by an émigré army from the Dutch Republic.

1904

The first underground segment of the New York City Subway opened, connecting New York City Hall (station pictured)…

The first underground segment of the New York City Subway opened, connecting New York City Hall (station pictured) with Harlem.

1726

J. S. Bach led the first performance of Ich will den Kreuzstab gerne tragen, BWV 56, one of few works he called a…

J. S. Bach led the first performance of Ich will den Kreuzstab gerne tragen, BWV 56, one of few works he called a cantata.