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1929

The first Academy Awards ceremony was held at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles, California

The first Academy Awards ceremony was held at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles, California.

1866

The United States Congress authorized the minting of the Shield nickel (example pictured), the country's first five-cent

The United States Congress authorized the minting of the Shield nickel (example pictured), the country's first five-cent piece to be made of a copper–nickel alloy.

2012

The first of two major earthquakes struck Northern Italy, resulting in seven deaths

The first of two major earthquakes struck Northern Italy, resulting in seven deaths.

1947

The first session of the National Diet opened in Tokyo, Japan

The first session of the National Diet opened in Tokyo, Japan.

1609

Thomas Thorpe published the first copies of Shakespeare's sonnets, possibly without William Shakespeare's consent

Thomas Thorpe published the first copies of Shakespeare's sonnets, possibly without William Shakespeare's consent.

1515

Ulysses, who would be famously depicted in a posthumous woodcut, landed in Lisbon, becoming the first of his species to

Ulysses, who would be famously depicted in a posthumous woodcut, landed in Lisbon, becoming the first of his species to visit Europe in a thousand years.

1217

First Barons' War: English forces under William Marshal defeated French troops at the Battle of Lincoln

First Barons' War: English forces under William Marshal defeated French troops at the Battle of Lincoln.

1897

The first Blackwall Tunnel under the River Thames was opened to improve commerce and trade in the East End of London

The first Blackwall Tunnel under the River Thames was opened to improve commerce and trade in the East End of London.

1974

The Airbus A300, the first twin-engined wide-body airliner, went into service with Air France

The Airbus A300, the first twin-engined wide-body airliner, went into service with Air France.

1533

Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury, annulled Henry VIII's marriage to his first wife Catherine of Aragon (pictured

Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury, annulled Henry VIII's marriage to his first wife Catherine of Aragon (pictured), beginning events that would culminate in the English Reformation.

1956

The first edition of the Eurovision Song Contest was held in Lugano, Switzerland

The first edition of the Eurovision Song Contest was held in Lugano, Switzerland.

1930

English aviator Amy Johnson landed in Darwin, becoming the first woman to fly solo from England to Australia

English aviator Amy Johnson landed in Darwin, becoming the first woman to fly solo from England to Australia.

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.