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1835

The first railway in continental Europe opens between Brussels and Mechelen

The first railway in continental Europe opens between Brussels and Mechelen.

1821

The first edition of The Manchester Guardian, now The Guardian, is published

The first edition of The Manchester Guardian, now The Guardian, is published.

1809

Mary Kies becomes the first woman awarded a U

Mary Kies becomes the first woman awarded a U.S. patent, for a technique of weaving straw with silk and thread.

1789

In France, the Estates-General convenes for the first time since 1614

In France, the Estates-General convenes for the first time since 1614.

2001

During a trip to Syria, Pope John Paul II becomes the first pope to enter a mosque

During a trip to Syria, Pope John Paul II becomes the first pope to enter a mosque.

1999

The first elections to the devolved Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly are held

The first elections to the devolved Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly are held.

1960

More than 20 million viewers watch the first televised royal wedding when Princess Margaret marries Antony Armstrong-Jon

More than 20 million viewers watch the first televised royal wedding when Princess Margaret marries Antony Armstrong-Jones at Westminster Abbey.

1954

Roger Bannister becomes the first person to run the mile in under four minutes

Roger Bannister becomes the first person to run the mile in under four minutes.

1941

At California's March Field, Bob Hope performs his first USO show

At California's March Field, Bob Hope performs his first USO show.

1941

The first flight of the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt

The first flight of the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt.

1915

Babe Ruth, then a pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, hits his first major league home run

Babe Ruth, then a pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, hits his first major league home run.

1901

The first issue of Gorkhapatra, the oldest still running state-owned Nepali newspaper, is published

The first issue of Gorkhapatra, the oldest still running state-owned Nepali newspaper, is published.

1999

Pope John Paul II travels to Romania, becoming the first pope to visit a predominantly Eastern Orthodox country since th

Pope John Paul II travels to Romania, becoming the first pope to visit a predominantly Eastern Orthodox country since the Great Schism in 1054.

1992

Space Shuttle program: The Space Shuttle Endeavour is launched on its first mission, STS-49

Space Shuttle program: The Space Shuttle Endeavour is launched on its first mission, STS-49.

1986

Canadian Patrick Morrow becomes the first person to climb each of the Seven Summits

Canadian Patrick Morrow becomes the first person to climb each of the Seven Summits.

1952

The concept of the integrated circuit, the basis for all modern computers, is first published by Geoffrey Dummer

The concept of the integrated circuit, the basis for all modern computers, is first published by Geoffrey Dummer.

1846

The Cambridge Chronicle, America's oldest surviving weekly newspaper, is published for the first time in Cambridge, Mass

The Cambridge Chronicle, America's oldest surviving weekly newspaper, is published for the first time in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

1544

The Burning of Edinburgh by an English army is the first action of the Rough Wooing

The Burning of Edinburgh by an English army is the first action of the Rough Wooing.

2019

British 17-year-old Isabelle Holdaway is reported to be the first patient ever to receive a genetically modified phage t

British 17-year-old Isabelle Holdaway is reported to be the first patient ever to receive a genetically modified phage therapy to treat a drug-resistant infection.

1978

The first ascent of Mount Everest without supplemental oxygen, by Reinhold Messner and Peter Habeler

The first ascent of Mount Everest without supplemental oxygen, by Reinhold Messner and Peter Habeler.