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1826

Major Gordon Laing becomes the first European to enter Timbuktu.

Major Gordon Laing becomes the first European to enter Timbuktu.

1492

The first grammar of the Spanish language (Gramática de la lengua castellana) is presented to Queen Isabella I.

The first grammar of the Spanish language (Gramática de la lengua castellana) is presented to Queen Isabella I.

1927

Rosalynn Carter, 41st First Lady of the United States (died 2023)

Rosalynn Carter, 41st First Lady of the United States (died 2023)

1700

Baji Rao I, first Peshwa of Maratha Empire (died 1740)

Baji Rao I, first Peshwa of Maratha Empire (died 1740)

1587

Virginia Dare, granddaughter of Governor John White of the Colony of Roanoke, first child born to English parents in…

Virginia Dare, granddaughter of Governor John White of the Colony of Roanoke, first child born to English parents in the Americas (date of death unknown)

911

Al-Hadi ila'l-Haqq Yahya, first Zaydi Imam of Yemen (born 859)

Al-Hadi ila'l-Haqq Yahya, first Zaydi Imam of Yemen (born 859)

1948

Australia won the fifth Test of the 1948 Ashes series, becoming the first Test cricket team to go undefeated in…

Australia won the fifth Test of the 1948 Ashes series, becoming the first Test cricket team to go undefeated in England, earning them the nickname "The Invincibles".

1590

John White, governor of the Roanoke Colony, the first English settlement in North America (located in present-day…

John White, governor of the Roanoke Colony, the first English settlement in North America (located in present-day North Carolina), returned after a three-year absence to find it deserted (depicted).

2005

The first-ever joint military exercise between Russia and China, called Peace Mission 2005 begins.

The first-ever joint military exercise between Russia and China, called Peace Mission 2005 begins.

1989

Polish president Wojciech Jaruzelski nominates Solidarity activist Tadeusz Mazowiecki to be the first non-communist…

Polish president Wojciech Jaruzelski nominates Solidarity activist Tadeusz Mazowiecki to be the first non-communist prime minister in 42 years.

1964

Syncom 3, the first geostationary communication satellite, is launched. Two months later, it would enable live…

Syncom 3, the first geostationary communication satellite, is launched. Two months later, it would enable live coverage of the 1964 Summer Olympics.

1940

First flight of the B-25 Mitchell medium bomber.

First flight of the B-25 Mitchell medium bomber.

1936

The Great Purge of the Soviet Union begins when the first of the Moscow Trials is convened.

The Great Purge of the Soviet Union begins when the first of the Moscow Trials is convened.

1934

The first All-American Soap Box Derby is held in Dayton, Ohio.

The first All-American Soap Box Derby is held in Dayton, Ohio.

1861

First ascent of Weisshorn, fifth highest summit in the Alps.

First ascent of Weisshorn, fifth highest summit in the Alps.

1854

The First Sioux War begins when United States Army soldiers kill Lakota chief Conquering Bear and in return are…

The First Sioux War begins when United States Army soldiers kill Lakota chief Conquering Bear and in return are massacred.

1725

J. S. Bach leads the first performance of Lobe den Herren, den mächtigen König der Ehren, BWV 137, a cantata setting…

J. S. Bach leads the first performance of Lobe den Herren, den mächtigen König der Ehren, BWV 137, a cantata setting the unchanged text of Neander's hymn.

295 BC

The first temple to Venus, the Roman goddess of love, beauty and fertility, is dedicated by Quintus Fabius Maximus…

The first temple to Venus, the Roman goddess of love, beauty and fertility, is dedicated by Quintus Fabius Maximus Gurges during the Third Samnite War.

1910

Saint Alphonsa, first woman of Indian origin to be canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church (died 1946)

Saint Alphonsa, first woman of Indian origin to be canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church (died 1946)

1897

The Bersey Electric Cab (pictured) entered service as the first electric taxi in London.

The Bersey Electric Cab (pictured) entered service as the first electric taxi in London.