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1985

The discovery of Buckminsterfullerene, the first fullerene molecule of carbon.

The discovery of Buckminsterfullerene, the first fullerene molecule of carbon.

1972

Mark Spitz becomes the first competitor to win seven medals at a single Olympic Games.

Mark Spitz becomes the first competitor to win seven medals at a single Olympic Games.

1951

The first live transcontinental television broadcast takes place in San Francisco, United States, from the Japanese…

The first live transcontinental television broadcast takes place in San Francisco, United States, from the Japanese Peace Treaty Conference.

1950

Darlington Raceway is the site of the inaugural Southern 500, the first 500-mile NASCAR race.

Darlington Raceway is the site of the inaugural Southern 500, the first 500-mile NASCAR race.

1923

Maiden flight of the first U.S. airship, the USS Shenandoah.

Maiden flight of the first U.S. airship, the USS Shenandoah.

1882

The Pearl Street Station in New York City becomes the first power plant to supply electricity to paying customers.

The Pearl Street Station in New York City becomes the first power plant to supply electricity to paying customers.

1839

Battle of Kowloon: British vessels open fire on Chinese war junks enforcing a food sales embargo on the British…

Battle of Kowloon: British vessels open fire on Chinese war junks enforcing a food sales embargo on the British community in China in the first armed conflict of the First Opium War.

1774

New Caledonia is first sighted by Europeans, during the second voyage of Captain James Cook.

New Caledonia is first sighted by Europeans, during the second voyage of Captain James Cook.

1981

The first women arrive at what becomes Greenham Common Women's Peace Camp in the UK.

The first women arrive at what becomes Greenham Common Women's Peace Camp in the UK.

1960

Poet Léopold Sédar Senghor is the first elected President of Senegal.

Poet Léopold Sédar Senghor is the first elected President of Senegal.

1882

The first United States Labor Day parade is held in New York City.

The first United States Labor Day parade is held in New York City.

1836

Sam Houston is elected as the first president of the Republic of Texas.

Sam Houston is elected as the first president of the Republic of Texas.

1774

First Continental Congress assembles in Philadelphia.

First Continental Congress assembles in Philadelphia.

2013

The first Minotaur V rocket is launched from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport on Wallops Island, carrying NASA's…

The first Minotaur V rocket is launched from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport on Wallops Island, carrying NASA's LADEE spacecraft.

1962

Archaeologist Peter Marsden discovers the first of the Blackfriars Ships dating back to the second century AD in the…

Archaeologist Peter Marsden discovers the first of the Blackfriars Ships dating back to the second century AD in the Blackfriars area of the banks of the River Thames in London.

1870

Louisa Ann Swain of Laramie, Wyoming becomes the first woman in the United States to cast a vote legally after 1807.

Louisa Ann Swain of Laramie, Wyoming becomes the first woman in the United States to cast a vote legally after 1807.

2005

Egypt holds its first-ever multi-party presidential election.

Egypt holds its first-ever multi-party presidential election.

1986

Desmond Tutu becomes the first black man to lead the Anglican Diocese of Cape Town.

Desmond Tutu becomes the first black man to lead the Anglican Diocese of Cape Town.

1953

Nikita Khrushchev is elected first secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union.

Nikita Khrushchev is elected first secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union.

1932

The Battle of Boquerón, the first major battle of the Chaco War, commences.

The Battle of Boquerón, the first major battle of the Chaco War, commences.