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1948

Cold War: The first supply flights are made in response to the Berlin Blockade

Cold War: The first supply flights are made in response to the Berlin Blockade.

1948

William Shockley files the original patent for the grown-junction transistor, the first bipolar junction transistor

William Shockley files the original patent for the grown-junction transistor, the first bipolar junction transistor.

1942

The first flight of the Grumman F6F Hellcat

The first flight of the Grumman F6F Hellcat.

1936

Initial flight of the Focke-Wulf Fw 61, the first practical helicopter

Initial flight of the Focke-Wulf Fw 61, the first practical helicopter.

1906

The first Grand Prix motor race is held at Le Mans

The first Grand Prix motor race is held at Le Mans.

1886

Henri Moissan isolated elemental Fluorine for the first time

Henri Moissan isolated elemental Fluorine for the first time.

1857

The first investiture of the Victoria Cross in Hyde Park, London

The first investiture of the Victoria Cross in Hyde Park, London.

1995

Space Shuttle Atlantis launches on STS-71, the first space shuttle mission to dock with the Russian space station Mir

Space Shuttle Atlantis launches on STS-71, the first space shuttle mission to dock with the Russian space station Mir.

1954

The Obninsk Nuclear Power Plant, the Soviet Union's first nuclear power station, opens in Obninsk, near Moscow

The Obninsk Nuclear Power Plant, the Soviet Union's first nuclear power station, opens in Obninsk, near Moscow.

1898

The first solo circumnavigation of the globe is completed by Joshua Slocum from Briar Island, Nova Scotia

The first solo circumnavigation of the globe is completed by Joshua Slocum from Briar Island, Nova Scotia.

1806

British forces take Buenos Aires during the first of the British invasions of the River Plate

British forces take Buenos Aires during the first of the British invasions of the River Plate.

1987

For the first time in military history, a civilian population is targeted for chemical attack when Iraqi warplanes bombe

For the first time in military history, a civilian population is targeted for chemical attack when Iraqi warplanes bombed the Iranian town of Sardasht.

1956

In Poznań, workers from HCP factory go to the streets, sparking one of the first major protests against communist govern

In Poznań, workers from HCP factory go to the streets, sparking one of the first major protests against communist government both in Poland and Europe.

1948

Boxer Dick Turpin beats Vince Hawkins at Villa Park in Birmingham to become the first black British boxing champion in t

Boxer Dick Turpin beats Vince Hawkins at Villa Park in Birmingham to become the first black British boxing champion in the modern era.

1911

The Nakhla meteorite, the first one to suggest signs of aqueous processes on Mars, falls to Earth, landing in Egypt

The Nakhla meteorite, the first one to suggest signs of aqueous processes on Mars, falls to Earth, landing in Egypt.

1870

The US Congress establishes the first federal holidays (New Year Day, July 4th, Thanksgiving, and Christmas)

The US Congress establishes the first federal holidays (New Year Day, July 4th, Thanksgiving, and Christmas).

1859

The first conformation dog show is held in Newcastle upon Tyne, England

The first conformation dog show is held in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.

1098

Fighters of the First Crusade defeat Kerbogha of Mosul at the battle of Antioch

Fighters of the First Crusade defeat Kerbogha of Mosul at the battle of Antioch.

1995

Space Shuttle program: STS-71 Mission (Atlantis) docks with the Russian space station Mir for the first time

Space Shuttle program: STS-71 Mission (Atlantis) docks with the Russian space station Mir for the first time.

1952

The first Miss Universe pageant is held

The first Miss Universe pageant is held. Armi Kuusela from Finland wins the title of Miss Universe 1952.