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1944

World War II: London is hit by a V-2 rocket for the first time.

World War II: London is hit by a V-2 rocket for the first time.

1914

World War I: Private Thomas Highgate becomes the first British soldier to be executed for desertion during the war.

World War I: Private Thomas Highgate becomes the first British soldier to be executed for desertion during the war.

1914

World War I: The creation of the Canadian Automobile Machine Gun Brigade, the first fully mechanized unit in the…

World War I: The creation of the Canadian Automobile Machine Gun Brigade, the first fully mechanized unit in the British Army.

1903

The first race at the Milwaukee Mile in West Allis, Wisconsin is held. It is the oldest major speedway in the world.

The first race at the Milwaukee Mile in West Allis, Wisconsin is held. It is the oldest major speedway in the world.

1942

World War II: First day of the Battle of Edson's Ridge during the Guadalcanal Campaign. U.S. Marines protecting…

World War II: First day of the Battle of Edson's Ridge during the Guadalcanal Campaign. U.S. Marines protecting Henderson Field are attacked by Imperial Japanese Army troops.

1944

World War II: Maastricht becomes the first Dutch city to be liberated by allied forces.

World War II: Maastricht becomes the first Dutch city to be liberated by allied forces.

1916

World War I: Tanks are used for the first time in battle, at the Battle of the Somme.

World War I: Tanks are used for the first time in battle, at the Battle of the Somme.

1961

The world's first retractable roof stadium, the Civic Arena, opens in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The world's first retractable roof stadium, the Civic Arena, opens in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

1916

World War I: Manfred von Richthofen ("The Red Baron"), a flying ace of the German Luftstreitkräfte, wins his first…

World War I: Manfred von Richthofen ("The Red Baron"), a flying ace of the German Luftstreitkräfte, wins his first aerial combat near Cambrai, France.

1946

The first Cannes Film Festival is held, having been delayed for seven years due to World War II.

The first Cannes Film Festival is held, having been delayed for seven years due to World War II.

1953

The Four Level Interchange, first stack interchange in the world opened in Los Angeles.

The Four Level Interchange, first stack interchange in the world opened in Los Angeles.

1950

Korean War: The Battle of Hill 282 is the first US friendly-fire incident on British military personnel since World…

Korean War: The Battle of Hill 282 is the first US friendly-fire incident on British military personnel since World War II.

1960

USS Enterprise, the world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, is launched.

USS Enterprise, the world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, is launched.

1825

The world's first public railway to use steam locomotives, the Stockton and Darlington Railway, is ceremonially opened…

The world's first public railway to use steam locomotives, the Stockton and Darlington Railway, is ceremonially opened with the engine Locomotion pulling wagons with coal and passengers from Shildon t�

2007

Calder Hall, the world's first commercial nuclear power station, is demolished in a controlled explosion.

Calder Hall, the world's first commercial nuclear power station, is demolished in a controlled explosion.

1885

The first practical public electric tramway in the world is opened in Blackpool, England.

The first practical public electric tramway in the world is opened in Blackpool, England.

1954

The U.S. Navy submarine USS Nautilus is commissioned as the world's first nuclear-powered vessel.

The U.S. Navy submarine USS Nautilus is commissioned as the world's first nuclear-powered vessel.

1915

World War I: Radoje Ljutovac becomes the first soldier in history to shoot down an enemy aircraft with ground-to-air…

World War I: Radoje Ljutovac becomes the first soldier in history to shoot down an enemy aircraft with ground-to-air fire.

2014

The South Korean ferry MV Sewol capsizes and sinks near Jindo Island, killing 304 passengers and crew and leading to wid

The South Korean ferry MV Sewol capsizes and sinks near Jindo Island, killing 304 passengers and crew and leading to widespread criticism of the South Korean government, media, and shipping authoritie�

2011

While flying from Seoul, South Korea to Shanghai, China, Asiana Airlines Flight 991 develops an in-flight fire in the…

While flying from Seoul, South Korea to Shanghai, China, Asiana Airlines Flight 991 develops an in-flight fire in the cargo hold. The Boeing 747-400F freighter attempts to divert to Jeju International�