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1786

The first federal Indian Reservation is created by the United States.

The first federal Indian Reservation is created by the United States.

1714

The Battle of Gangut: The first important victory of the Russian Navy.

The Battle of Gangut: The first important victory of the Russian Navy.

1679

The brigantine Le Griffon becomes the first ship to sail the upper Great Lakes of North America.

The brigantine Le Griffon becomes the first ship to sail the upper Great Lakes of North America.

1987

Lynne Cox became the first person to swim between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, crossing from Little Diomede to Big…

Lynne Cox became the first person to swim between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, crossing from Little Diomede to Big Diomede in the Bering Strait in 2 hours and 5 minutes.

1955

Hurricane Diane, the first Atlantic hurricane to cause more than $1 billion in damages, formed between the Lesser…

Hurricane Diane, the first Atlantic hurricane to cause more than $1 billion in damages, formed between the Lesser Antilles and Cape Verde.

1944

IBM presented the first program-controlled calculator to Harvard University, after which it became known as the Mark I…

IBM presented the first program-controlled calculator to Harvard University, after which it became known as the Mark I (pictured).

1850

The first section of the Great Northern Railway, now the southern section of the East Coast Main Line, opened between…

The first section of the Great Northern Railway, now the southern section of the East Coast Main Line, opened between London and Peterborough.

1988

The first night baseball game in the history of Chicago's Wrigley Field (game was rained out in the fourth inning).

The first night baseball game in the history of Chicago's Wrigley Field (game was rained out in the fourth inning).

1946

First flight of the nuclear capable Convair B-36, heaviest mass-produced piston-engined aircraft at the time.

First flight of the nuclear capable Convair B-36, heaviest mass-produced piston-engined aircraft at the time.

1908

Wilbur Wright makes the Wright Brothers' first public flight, at a racecourse at Le Mans, France.

Wilbur Wright makes the Wright Brothers' first public flight, at a racecourse at Le Mans, France.

1786

Mont Blanc on the French-Italian border is climbed for the first time by Jacques Balmat and Dr. Michel-Gabriel Paccard.

Mont Blanc on the French-Italian border is climbed for the first time by Jacques Balmat and Dr. Michel-Gabriel Paccard.

2012

Shannon Eastin becomes the first woman to officiate an NFL game.

Shannon Eastin becomes the first woman to officiate an NFL game.

1974

As a direct result of the Watergate scandal, Richard Nixon becomes the first president of the United States to resign…

As a direct result of the Watergate scandal, Richard Nixon becomes the first president of the United States to resign from office. Vice President Gerald Ford becomes president.

1907

The first Boy Scout encampment concludes at Brownsea Island in southern England.

The first Boy Scout encampment concludes at Brownsea Island in southern England.

1897

The first International Congress of Mathematicians is held in Zürich, Switzerland.

The first International Congress of Mathematicians is held in Zürich, Switzerland.

1810

Napoleon annexes Westphalia as part of the First French Empire.

Napoleon annexes Westphalia as part of the First French Empire.

1610

The First Anglo-Powhatan War begins in colonial Virginia.

The First Anglo-Powhatan War begins in colonial Virginia.

1909

Willa Beatrice Player, American educator, first Black woman college president (died 2003)

Willa Beatrice Player, American educator, first Black woman college president (died 2003)

1974

On the verge of an impeachment and removal from office amid the Watergate scandal, Richard Nixon became the first…

On the verge of an impeachment and removal from office amid the Watergate scandal, Richard Nixon became the first president of the United States to resign.

1897

The first meeting of the International Congress of Mathematicians was held in Zürich, Switzerland.

The first meeting of the International Congress of Mathematicians was held in Zürich, Switzerland.