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28 BC

Chinese astronomers during the Han dynasty made the first precisely dated observation of a sunspot

Chinese astronomers during the Han dynasty made the first precisely dated observation of a sunspot.

2022

The Event Horizon Telescope released the first image of Sagittarius A*

The Event Horizon Telescope released the first image of Sagittarius A*.

1941

German engineer Konrad Zuse presented the Z3, the first working programmable and fully automatic computer, to an audienc

German engineer Konrad Zuse presented the Z3, the first working programmable and fully automatic computer, to an audience of scientists in Berlin.

1926

The crew of the airship Norge (pictured), led by Roald Amundsen, became the first people to make a verified trip to the

The crew of the airship Norge (pictured), led by Roald Amundsen, became the first people to make a verified trip to the North Pole.

2017

Eurovision Song Contest: Portugal won the contest for the first time, with the song "Amar pelos dois," performed by Salv

Eurovision Song Contest: Portugal won the contest for the first time, with the song "Amar pelos dois," performed by Salvador Sobral (pictured).

1995

Alison Hargreaves became the first woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest without the aid of Sherpas or bottled oxyg

Alison Hargreaves became the first woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest without the aid of Sherpas or bottled oxygen.

1967

Zakir Husain took office as the first elected Muslim President of India

Zakir Husain took office as the first elected Muslim President of India.

1725

Johann Sebastian Bach first performed the church cantata Sie werden euch in den Bann tun, BWV 183 in Leipzig, Germany

Johann Sebastian Bach first performed the church cantata Sie werden euch in den Bann tun, BWV 183 in Leipzig, Germany.

2004

Arsenal became the first football team in England's top flight to finish a season undefeated since Preston North End did

Arsenal became the first football team in England's top flight to finish a season undefeated since Preston North End did so in 1888–1889.

1957

The United Kingdom tested its first hydrogen bomb over Malden Island in Operation Grapple

The United Kingdom tested its first hydrogen bomb over Malden Island in Operation Grapple.

1953

Don Murphy organized the first pinewood derby, an event for Cub Scouts of the Boy Scouts of America where wooden cars bu

Don Murphy organized the first pinewood derby, an event for Cub Scouts of the Boy Scouts of America where wooden cars built by the scouts are raced.

1862

Fertilisation of Orchids, the first book by Charles Darwin which demonstrated the power of natural selection in detail,

Fertilisation of Orchids, the first book by Charles Darwin which demonstrated the power of natural selection in detail, was published.

1725

Bach led the first performance of his cantata Ich bin ein guter Hirt, BWV 85, about Jesus as the Good Shepherd

Bach led the first performance of his cantata Ich bin ein guter Hirt, BWV 85, about Jesus as the Good Shepherd.

2004

Massachusetts became the first U

Massachusetts became the first U.S. state to legalize same-sex marriage.

1997

The First Congo War came to an end when Laurent-Désiré Kabila proclaimed himself president of Zaire, which was also rena

The First Congo War came to an end when Laurent-Désiré Kabila proclaimed himself president of Zaire, which was also renamed the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

1900

The first copies of the children's novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L

The first copies of the children's novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum were printed.

1952

First Indochina War: Viet Minh forces overran a French and Laotian garrison at Muong Khoua, leaving only four survivors

First Indochina War: Viet Minh forces overran a French and Laotian garrison at Muong Khoua, leaving only four survivors.

1975

Japanese climber Junko Tabei (pictured) became the first woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest

Japanese climber Junko Tabei (pictured) became the first woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest.

1960

American physicist Theodore Maiman operated the first working laser at Hughes Research Laboratories in Malibu

American physicist Theodore Maiman operated the first working laser at Hughes Research Laboratories in Malibu.

1959

The Tritons' Fountain in Valletta, one of Malta's most important Modernist landmarks, was turned on for the first time

The Tritons' Fountain in Valletta, one of Malta's most important Modernist landmarks, was turned on for the first time.