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1977

After the death of dictator Francisco Franco in 1975, the first democratic elections take place in Spain

After the death of dictator Francisco Franco in 1975, the first democratic elections take place in Spain.

1944

In the Saskatchewan general election, the CCF, led by Tommy Douglas, is elected and forms the first socialist government

In the Saskatchewan general election, the CCF, led by Tommy Douglas, is elected and forms the first socialist government in North America.

1919

John Alcock and Arthur Brown complete the first nonstop transatlantic flight when they reach Clifden, County Galway, Ire

John Alcock and Arthur Brown complete the first nonstop transatlantic flight when they reach Clifden, County Galway, Ireland.

2016

Shanghai Disneyland Park, the first Disney Park in mainland China, opens to the public

Shanghai Disneyland Park, the first Disney Park in mainland China, opens to the public.

2012

China successfully launches its Shenzhou 9 spacecraft, carrying three astronauts, including the first female Chinese ast

China successfully launches its Shenzhou 9 spacecraft, carrying three astronauts, including the first female Chinese astronaut Liu Yang, to the Tiangong-1 orbital module.

2010

Bhutan becomes the first country to institute a total ban on tobacco

Bhutan becomes the first country to institute a total ban on tobacco.

1963

Soviet Space Program: Vostok 6 mission: Cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova becomes the first woman in space

Soviet Space Program: Vostok 6 mission: Cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova becomes the first woman in space.

1903

Roald Amundsen leaves Oslo, Norway, to commence the first east–west navigation of the Northwest Passage

Roald Amundsen leaves Oslo, Norway, to commence the first east–west navigation of the Northwest Passage.

1884

The first purpose-built roller coaster, LaMarcus Adna Thompson's "Switchback Railway", opens in New York's Coney Island

The first purpose-built roller coaster, LaMarcus Adna Thompson's "Switchback Railway", opens in New York's Coney Island amusement park.

1632

The Plymouth Company granted a land patent to Thomas Purchase, the first settler of Pejepscot, Maine, settling at the si

The Plymouth Company granted a land patent to Thomas Purchase, the first settler of Pejepscot, Maine, settling at the site of Fort Andross.

2021

Juneteenth National Independence Day, was signed into law by President Joe Biden, to become the first federal holiday es

Juneteenth National Independence Day, was signed into law by President Joe Biden, to become the first federal holiday established since Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 1983.

1985

Space Shuttle program: STS-51-G mission: Space Shuttle Discovery launches carrying Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Sa

Space Shuttle program: STS-51-G mission: Space Shuttle Discovery launches carrying Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the first Arab and first Muslim in space, as a payload specialist.

1967

Nuclear weapons testing: China announces a successful test of its first thermonuclear weapon

Nuclear weapons testing: China announces a successful test of its first thermonuclear weapon.

1901

The College Board introduces its first standardized test, the forerunner to the SAT

The College Board introduces its first standardized test, the forerunner to the SAT.

1843

The Wairau Affray, the first serious clash of arms between Māori and British settlers in the New Zealand Wars, takes pla

The Wairau Affray, the first serious clash of arms between Māori and British settlers in the New Zealand Wars, takes place.

1831

The steam locomotive Best Friend of Charleston causes the first boiler explosion caused by a steam locomotive

The steam locomotive Best Friend of Charleston causes the first boiler explosion caused by a steam locomotive.

1767

Samuel Wallis, a British sea captain, sights Tahiti and is considered the first European to reach the island

Samuel Wallis, a British sea captain, sights Tahiti and is considered the first European to reach the island.

1673

French explorers Jacques Marquette and Louis Jolliet reach the Mississippi River and become the first Europeans to make

French explorers Jacques Marquette and Louis Jolliet reach the Mississippi River and become the first Europeans to make a detailed account of its course.

2006

The first Kazakh space satellite, KazSat-1 is launched

The first Kazakh space satellite, KazSat-1 is launched.

1983

Space Shuttle program: STS-7, Astronaut Sally Ride becomes the first American woman in space

Space Shuttle program: STS-7, Astronaut Sally Ride becomes the first American woman in space.