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1955

A Soviet Zulu-class submarine becomes the first to launch a ballistic missile.

A Soviet Zulu-class submarine becomes the first to launch a ballistic missile.

1880

The Cornell Daily Sun prints its first issue in Ithaca, New York.

The Cornell Daily Sun prints its first issue in Ithaca, New York.

1863

Robert College, in Istanbul, the first American educational institution outside the United States, is founded by…

Robert College, in Istanbul, the first American educational institution outside the United States, is founded by Christopher Robert, an American philanthropist.

2013

Grand Theft Auto V earns more than half a billion dollars on its first day of release.

Grand Theft Auto V earns more than half a billion dollars on its first day of release.

2006

Fourpeaked Mountain in Alaska erupts, marking the first eruption for the volcano in at least 10,000 years.

Fourpeaked Mountain in Alaska erupts, marking the first eruption for the volcano in at least 10,000 years.

1991

The first version of the Linux kernel (0.01) is released to the Internet.

The first version of the Linux kernel (0.01) is released to the Internet.

1983

Vanessa Williams becomes the first black Miss America.

Vanessa Williams becomes the first black Miss America.

1894

Battle of the Yalu River, the largest naval engagement of the First Sino-Japanese War.

Battle of the Yalu River, the largest naval engagement of the First Sino-Japanese War.

1862

American Civil War: George B. McClellan's Army of the Potomac halts the first invasion of the North by Robert E. Lee…

American Civil War: George B. McClellan's Army of the Potomac halts the first invasion of the North by Robert E. Lee and his Army of Northern Virginia in the single-day Battle of Antietam, the bloodie�

1849

American abolitionist Harriet Tubman makes her first attempt to escape from slavery.

American abolitionist Harriet Tubman makes her first attempt to escape from slavery.

1778

The Treaty of Fort Pitt is signed. It is the first formal treaty between the United States and a Native American tribe.

The Treaty of Fort Pitt is signed. It is the first formal treaty between the United States and a Native American tribe.

1543

The first Finnish-language book, the Abckiria by Mikael Agricola, is published in Stockholm.

The first Finnish-language book, the Abckiria by Mikael Agricola, is published in Stockholm.

1980

Solidarity, a Polish trade union, was founded as the first independent labor union in an Eastern Bloc country.

Solidarity, a Polish trade union, was founded as the first independent labor union in an Eastern Bloc country.

2010

Philippe Croizon becomes the first quadruple amputee to swim across the English Channel.

Philippe Croizon becomes the first quadruple amputee to swim across the English Channel.

2001

First mailing of anthrax letters from Trenton, New Jersey in the 2001 anthrax attacks.

First mailing of anthrax letters from Trenton, New Jersey in the 2001 anthrax attacks.

1984

Joe Kittinger completes the first solo balloon crossing of the Atlantic.

Joe Kittinger completes the first solo balloon crossing of the Atlantic.

1977

Voyager I takes the first distant photograph of the Earth and the Moon together.

Voyager I takes the first distant photograph of the Earth and the Moon together.

1964

The first television adaptation of Charles Addams's "The Addams Family" premieres on ABC Television.

The first television adaptation of Charles Addams's "The Addams Family" premieres on ABC Television.

1958

The Bank of America introduces its first credit card, the BankAmericard (later renamed the VISA Card), in a test…

The Bank of America introduces its first credit card, the BankAmericard (later renamed the VISA Card), in a test market in Fresno County, California.

1954

Finnish president J. K. Paasikivi becomes the first Western head of state to be awarded the highest honor of the…

Finnish president J. K. Paasikivi becomes the first Western head of state to be awarded the highest honor of the Soviet Union, the Order of Lenin.