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1683

The Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, England, opens as the world's first university museum

The Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, England, opens as the world's first university museum.

1992

The first World Oceans Day is celebrated, coinciding with the Earth Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The first World Oceans Day is celebrated, coinciding with the Earth Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

1892

The Limelight Department, one of the world's first film studios, is officially established in Melbourne, Australia

The Limelight Department, one of the world's first film studios, is officially established in Melbourne, Australia.

1944

World War II: Germany launches the first V1 Flying Bomb attack on England

World War II: Germany launches the first V1 Flying Bomb attack on England. Only four of the eleven bombs strike their targets.

1895

Émile Levassor wins the world's first real automobile race

Émile Levassor wins the world's first real automobile race. Levassor completed the 732-mile course, from Paris to Bordeaux and back, in just under 49 hours, at a then-impressive speed of about fifteen�

1960

Charlotte Motor Speedway holds its first NASCAR race, the inaugural World 600

Charlotte Motor Speedway holds its first NASCAR race, the inaugural World 600.

1943

World War II: The Royal Air Force launches Operation Bellicose, the first shuttle bombing raid of the war

World War II: The Royal Air Force launches Operation Bellicose, the first shuttle bombing raid of the war. Avro Lancaster bombers damage the V-2 rocket production facilities at the Zeppelin Works whil�

1877

Alexander Graham Bell installs the world's first commercial telephone service in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Alexander Graham Bell installs the world's first commercial telephone service in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

1940

World War II: Operation Collar, the first British Commando raid on occupied France, by No 11 Independent Company

World War II: Operation Collar, the first British Commando raid on occupied France, by No 11 Independent Company.

1717

The Premier Grand Lodge of England is founded in London, the first Masonic Grand Lodge in the world (now the United Gran

The Premier Grand Lodge of England is founded in London, the first Masonic Grand Lodge in the world (now the United Grand Lodge of England).

1944

World War II: Mogaung is the first place in Burma to be liberated from the Japanese by British Chindits, supported by th

World War II: Mogaung is the first place in Burma to be liberated from the Japanese by British Chindits, supported by the Chinese.

1937

The world's first emergency telephone number, 999, is introduced in London

The world's first emergency telephone number, 999, is introduced in London.

1991

The Finnish operator Radiolinja is launched as the world's first GSM network.

The Finnish operator Radiolinja is launched as the world's first GSM network.

1987

The American radio station WFAN in New York City is launched as the world's first all-sports radio station.

The American radio station WFAN in New York City is launched as the world's first all-sports radio station.

1942

World War II: start of the First Battle of El Alamein.

World War II: start of the First Battle of El Alamein.

1881

The world's first international telephone call is made between St. Stephen, New Brunswick, Canada, and Calais, Maine,…

The world's first international telephone call is made between St. Stephen, New Brunswick, Canada, and Calais, Maine, United States.

1837

Grand Junction Railway, the world's first long-distance railway, opens between Birmingham and Liverpool.

Grand Junction Railway, the world's first long-distance railway, opens between Birmingham and Liverpool.

1962

The Late Late Show, the world's longest-running chat show by the same broadcaster, airs on RTÉ One for the first time.

The Late Late Show, the world's longest-running chat show by the same broadcaster, airs on RTÉ One for the first time.

2007

The first Live Earth benefit concert was held in 11 locations around the world.

The first Live Earth benefit concert was held in 11 locations around the world.

2007

Erden Eruç begins the first solo human-powered circumnavigation of the world.

Erden Eruç begins the first solo human-powered circumnavigation of the world.