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2015

The first piece of suspected debris from Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 is discovered on Réunion Island.

The first piece of suspected debris from Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 is discovered on Réunion Island.

1976

In New York City, David Berkowitz (a.k.a. the "Son of Sam") kills one person and seriously wounds another in the first…

In New York City, David Berkowitz (a.k.a. the "Son of Sam") kills one person and seriously wounds another in the first of a series of attacks.

1973

Greeks vote to abolish the monarchy, beginning the first period of the Metapolitefsi.

Greeks vote to abolish the monarchy, beginning the first period of the Metapolitefsi.

1965

Vietnam War: The first 4,000 101st Airborne Division paratroopers arrive in Vietnam, landing at Cam Ranh Bay.

Vietnam War: The first 4,000 101st Airborne Division paratroopers arrive in Vietnam, landing at Cam Ranh Bay.

1959

First United States Congress elections in Hawaii as a state of the Union.

First United States Congress elections in Hawaii as a state of the Union.

1899

The First Hague Convention is signed.

The First Hague Convention is signed.

587 BC

The Neo-Babylonian Empire sacks Jerusalem and destroys the First Temple.

The Neo-Babylonian Empire sacks Jerusalem and destroys the First Temple.

1859

First ascent of Grand Combin, one of the highest summits in the Alps.

First ascent of Grand Combin, one of the highest summits in the Alps.

1733

The first Masonic Grand Lodge in the future United States is constituted in Massachusetts.

The first Masonic Grand Lodge in the future United States is constituted in Massachusetts.

1419

First Defenestration of Prague: A crowd of radical Hussites kill seven members of the Prague city council.

First Defenestration of Prague: A crowd of radical Hussites kill seven members of the Prague city council.

1991

The United States and Soviet Union both sign the START I Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, the first to reduce (with…

The United States and Soviet Union both sign the START I Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, the first to reduce (with verification) both countries' stockpiles.

1971

Apollo program: the Apollo 15 astronauts become the first to ride in a lunar rover.

Apollo program: the Apollo 15 astronauts become the first to ride in a lunar rover.

1964

Ranger program: Ranger 7 sends back the first close-up photographs of the moon, with images 1,000 times clearer than…

Ranger program: Ranger 7 sends back the first close-up photographs of the moon, with images 1,000 times clearer than anything ever seen from earth-bound telescopes.

1790

The first U.S. patent is issued, to inventor Samuel Hopkins for a potash process.

The first U.S. patent is issued, to inventor Samuel Hopkins for a potash process.

1498

On his third voyage to the Western Hemisphere, Christopher Columbus becomes the first European to discover the island…

On his third voyage to the Western Hemisphere, Christopher Columbus becomes the first European to discover the island of Trinidad.

781

The oldest recorded eruption of Mount Fuji (Traditional Japanese date: Sixth day of the seventh month of the first…

The oldest recorded eruption of Mount Fuji (Traditional Japanese date: Sixth day of the seventh month of the first year of the Ten'o (天応) era).

1981

MTV begins broadcasting in the United States and airs its first video, "Video Killed the Radio Star" by The Buggles.

MTV begins broadcasting in the United States and airs its first video, "Video Killed the Radio Star" by The Buggles.

1927

The Nanchang Uprising marks the first significant battle in the Chinese Civil War between the Kuomintang and Chinese…

The Nanchang Uprising marks the first significant battle in the Chinese Civil War between the Kuomintang and Chinese Communist Party. This day is commemorated as the anniversary of the founding of the�

1911

Harriet Quimby takes her pilot's test and becomes the first U.S. woman to earn an Aero Club of America aviator's…

Harriet Quimby takes her pilot's test and becomes the first U.S. woman to earn an Aero Club of America aviator's certificate.

1907

The start of the first Scout camp on Brownsea Island, the origin of the worldwide Scouting movement.

The start of the first Scout camp on Brownsea Island, the origin of the worldwide Scouting movement.