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1926

Gertrude Ederle becomes the first woman to swim across the English Channel.

Gertrude Ederle becomes the first woman to swim across the English Channel.

1926

First public screening using the Vitaphone process

First public screening using the Vitaphone process

1890

At Auburn Prison in New York, murderer William Kemmler becomes the first person to be executed by electric chair.

At Auburn Prison in New York, murderer William Kemmler becomes the first person to be executed by electric chair.

1819

Norwich University is founded in Vermont as the first private military school in the United States.

Norwich University is founded in Vermont as the first private military school in the United States.

1848

Susie Taylor, American writer and first black Army nurse (died 1912)

Susie Taylor, American writer and first black Army nurse (died 1912)

1990

First American soldiers arrive in Saudi Arabia as part of the Gulf War.

First American soldiers arrive in Saudi Arabia as part of the Gulf War.

1987

Cold War: Lynne Cox becomes the first person to swim from the United States to the Soviet Union, crossing the Bering…

Cold War: Lynne Cox becomes the first person to swim from the United States to the Soviet Union, crossing the Bering Strait from Little Diomede Island in Alaska to Big Diomede in the Soviet Union.

1985

Takao Doi, Mamoru Mohri and Chiaki Mukai are chosen to be Japan's first astronauts.

Takao Doi, Mamoru Mohri and Chiaki Mukai are chosen to be Japan's first astronauts.

1944

IBM dedicates the first program-controlled calculator, the Automatic Sequence Controlled Calculator (known best as the…

IBM dedicates the first program-controlled calculator, the Automatic Sequence Controlled Calculator (known best as the Harvard Mark I).

1926

The first British Grand Prix was held at Brooklands.

The first British Grand Prix was held at Brooklands.

1909

Alice Huyler Ramsey and three friends become the first women to complete a transcontinental auto trip, taking 59 days…

Alice Huyler Ramsey and three friends become the first women to complete a transcontinental auto trip, taking 59 days to travel from New York, New York to San Francisco, California.

1858

The first Australian rules football match is played between Melbourne Grammar and Scotch College.

The first Australian rules football match is played between Melbourne Grammar and Scotch College.

1786

The first federal Indian Reservation is created by the United States.

The first federal Indian Reservation is created by the United States.

1714

The Battle of Gangut: The first important victory of the Russian Navy.

The Battle of Gangut: The first important victory of the Russian Navy.

1679

The brigantine Le Griffon becomes the first ship to sail the upper Great Lakes of North America.

The brigantine Le Griffon becomes the first ship to sail the upper Great Lakes of North America.

1987

Lynne Cox became the first person to swim between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, crossing from Little Diomede to Big…

Lynne Cox became the first person to swim between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, crossing from Little Diomede to Big Diomede in the Bering Strait in 2 hours and 5 minutes.

1955

Hurricane Diane, the first Atlantic hurricane to cause more than $1 billion in damages, formed between the Lesser…

Hurricane Diane, the first Atlantic hurricane to cause more than $1 billion in damages, formed between the Lesser Antilles and Cape Verde.

1944

IBM presented the first program-controlled calculator to Harvard University, after which it became known as the Mark I…

IBM presented the first program-controlled calculator to Harvard University, after which it became known as the Mark I (pictured).

1850

The first section of the Great Northern Railway, now the southern section of the East Coast Main Line, opened between…

The first section of the Great Northern Railway, now the southern section of the East Coast Main Line, opened between London and Peterborough.

1988

The first night baseball game in the history of Chicago's Wrigley Field (game was rained out in the fourth inning).

The first night baseball game in the history of Chicago's Wrigley Field (game was rained out in the fourth inning).