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1967

American physicist Theodore Maiman is given a patent for his ruby laser systems, the world's first laser.

American physicist Theodore Maiman is given a patent for his ruby laser systems, the world's first laser.

1960

Ruby Bridges becomes the first black child to attend an all-white elementary school in Louisiana.

Ruby Bridges becomes the first black child to attend an all-white elementary school in Louisiana.

1952

The New Musical Express publishes the first regular UK Singles Chart.

The New Musical Express publishes the first regular UK Singles Chart.

1921

The Communist Party of Spain is founded, and issues the first edition of Mundo obrero.

The Communist Party of Spain is founded, and issues the first edition of Mundo obrero.

1920

Pesäpallo, the Finnish version of baseball developed by Lauri Pihkala, is played for the first time at Kaisaniemi Park…

Pesäpallo, the Finnish version of baseball developed by Lauri Pihkala, is played for the first time at Kaisaniemi Park in Helsinki.

1910

Aviator Eugene Burton Ely performs the first takeoff from a ship in Hampton Roads, Virginia, taking off from a…

Aviator Eugene Burton Ely performs the first takeoff from a ship in Hampton Roads, Virginia, taking off from a makeshift deck on the USS Birmingham in a Curtiss pusher.

1680

German astronomer Gottfried Kirch discovers the Great Comet of 1680, the first comet to be discovered by telescope.

German astronomer Gottfried Kirch discovers the Great Comet of 1680, the first comet to be discovered by telescope.

1967

American physicist Theodore Maiman was given a patent for his ruby laser systems, the world's first laser.

American physicist Theodore Maiman was given a patent for his ruby laser systems, the world's first laser.

1960

Ruby Bridges and the McDonogh Three became the first black children to attend an all-white elementary school in…

Ruby Bridges and the McDonogh Three became the first black children to attend an all-white elementary school in Louisiana as part of the New Orleans school desegregation crisis.

1910

Aviator Eugene Burton Ely performed the first takeoff from a ship (pictured), flying from a makeshift deck on…

Aviator Eugene Burton Ely performed the first takeoff from a ship (pictured), flying from a makeshift deck on USS Birmingham in Hampton Roads, Virginia.

1851

Moby-Dick, an epic novel by American writer Herman Melville, was first published in the United States.

Moby-Dick, an epic novel by American writer Herman Melville, was first published in the United States.

1680

German astronomer Gottfried Kirch discovered the Great Comet of 1680, the first comet to be discovered by telescope.

German astronomer Gottfried Kirch discovered the Great Comet of 1680, the first comet to be discovered by telescope.

2003

The first day of the 2003 Istanbul bombings, in which two car bombs, targeting two synagogues, explode, kill 25 people…

The first day of the 2003 Istanbul bombings, in which two car bombs, targeting two synagogues, explode, kill 25 people and wound 300 more.

1988

The first Fairtrade label, Max Havelaar, is launched in the Netherlands.

The first Fairtrade label, Max Havelaar, is launched in the Netherlands.

1976

René Lévesque and the Parti Québécois take power to become the first Quebec government of the 20th century clearly in…

René Lévesque and the Parti Québécois take power to become the first Quebec government of the 20th century clearly in favor of independence.

1971

Intel releases the world's first commercial single-chip microprocessor, the 4004.

Intel releases the world's first commercial single-chip microprocessor, the 4004.

1968

The Cleveland Transit System becomes the first transit system in the western hemisphere to provide direct rapid…

The Cleveland Transit System becomes the first transit system in the western hemisphere to provide direct rapid transit service from a city's downtown to its major airport.

1955

The first part of the Saint Petersburg Metro is opened.

The first part of the Saint Petersburg Metro is opened.

1933

Thailand holds its first election.

Thailand holds its first election.

1920

The first assembly of the League of Nations is held in Geneva, Switzerland.

The first assembly of the League of Nations is held in Geneva, Switzerland.