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1830

The nursery rhyme "Mary Had a Little Lamb" was first published as a poem by Sarah Josepha Hale

The nursery rhyme "Mary Had a Little Lamb" was first published as a poem by Sarah Josepha Hale.

2012

In a test flight, SpaceX's Dragon became the first commercial spacecraft to rendezvous and berth with the International

In a test flight, SpaceX's Dragon became the first commercial spacecraft to rendezvous and berth with the International Space Station.

1979

Six-year-old Etan Patz disappeared on his way to school in New York City, and later became one of the first missing chil

Six-year-old Etan Patz disappeared on his way to school in New York City, and later became one of the first missing children to have his picture featured on milk cartons.

1810

The Primera Junta, the first independent government in Argentina, was established in an open cabildo in Buenos Aires, ma

The Primera Junta, the first independent government in Argentina, was established in an open cabildo in Buenos Aires, marking the end of the May Revolution.

1999

Manchester United won the UEFA Champions League final to become the first English football club to win three major champ

Manchester United won the UEFA Champions League final to become the first English football club to win three major championships in the same season.

1888

The comic novel The Diary of a Nobody by brothers George and Weedon Grossmith first appeared in serial form in Punch

The comic novel The Diary of a Nobody by brothers George and Weedon Grossmith first appeared in serial form in Punch.

1963

American singer Bob Dylan (pictured) released The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan, his first album to include a significant numbe

American singer Bob Dylan (pictured) released The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan, his first album to include a significant number of original songs.

1923

French drivers André Lagache and René Léonard completed the most laps during the first edition of the sports car race th

French drivers André Lagache and René Léonard completed the most laps during the first edition of the sports car race the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

1917

Pope Benedict XV (pictured) promulgated the Pio-Benedictine Code, the first official comprehensive codification of Latin

Pope Benedict XV (pictured) promulgated the Pio-Benedictine Code, the first official comprehensive codification of Latin canon law.

1999

President Olusegun Obasanjo took office as Nigeria's first elected and civilian head of state after 16 years of military

President Olusegun Obasanjo took office as Nigeria's first elected and civilian head of state after 16 years of military dictatorship.

1999

Charlotte Perrelli, representing Sweden, won the Eurovision Song Contest, the first edition not to feature an orchestra

Charlotte Perrelli, representing Sweden, won the Eurovision Song Contest, the first edition not to feature an orchestra or live accompaniment.

1954

Diane Leather became the first woman to run a mile in less than five minutes

Diane Leather became the first woman to run a mile in less than five minutes.

1953

The mountaineers Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay (both pictured) became the first people to reach the summit of Mount

The mountaineers Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay (both pictured) became the first people to reach the summit of Mount Everest.

2018

For the first time since its transition to democracy, the Congress of Deputies in Spain passed a motion of no confidence

For the first time since its transition to democracy, the Congress of Deputies in Spain passed a motion of no confidence against the government.

1861

The first land battle of the American Civil War after Fort Sumter took place in the village of Fairfax, Virginia

The first land battle of the American Civil War after Fort Sumter took place in the village of Fairfax, Virginia.

1857

The Revolution of the Ganhadores, the first general strike in Brazil, began in Salvador, Bahia

The Revolution of the Ganhadores, the first general strike in Brazil, began in Salvador, Bahia.

1831

British explorer James Clark Ross led the first expedition to reach the north magnetic pole

British explorer James Clark Ross led the first expedition to reach the north magnetic pole.

1950

Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal, members of the French Annapurna expedition, became the first climbers to reach the su

Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal, members of the French Annapurna expedition, became the first climbers to reach the summit of a peak higher than 8,000 metres (26,247 ft) above sea level.

1658

Pope Alexander VII appointed François de Laval as the first apostolic vicar of New France

Pope Alexander VII appointed François de Laval as the first apostolic vicar of New France.

1975

Governor Jerry Brown signed the California Agricultural Labor Relations Act, one of the first laws in the United States

Governor Jerry Brown signed the California Agricultural Labor Relations Act, one of the first laws in the United States guaranteeing collective bargaining rights to farmworkers.