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1940

World War II: Free French forces captured Gabon from Vichy France.

World War II: Free French forces captured Gabon from Vichy France.

1941

Second World War: After suffering torpedo damage the previous day, the British aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal sank as…

Second World War: After suffering torpedo damage the previous day, the British aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal sank as she was being towed to Gibraltar for repairs.

1960

The U

The U.S. Navy submarine Triton completed the first submerged circumnavigation of the world.

1982

Falklands War: HMS Sheffield was struck by an Exocet missile, killing 20 sailors and leading to its sinking six days lat

Falklands War: HMS Sheffield was struck by an Exocet missile, killing 20 sailors and leading to its sinking six days later—the first Royal Navy ship sunk in action since World War II.

2010

David Cameron took office as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom as the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats formed the

David Cameron took office as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom as the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats formed the country's first coalition government since the Second World War.

1914

Around 2,000 members of European society attended a ball at Kenwood House, England, in one of the last major social even

Around 2,000 members of European society attended a ball at Kenwood House, England, in one of the last major social events before the outbreak of the First World War.

1920

In London, the Cenotaph was unveiled and the Unknown Warrior was buried in Westminster Abbey in remembrance of the…

In London, the Cenotaph was unveiled and the Unknown Warrior was buried in Westminster Abbey in remembrance of the First World War.

1912

American pilot Harriet Quimby (pictured) became the first woman to fly across the English Channel

American pilot Harriet Quimby (pictured) became the first woman to fly across the English Channel.

2014

NASA announced the discovery of Kepler-186f, the first exoplanet with a radius similar to Earth's discovered in the habi

NASA announced the discovery of Kepler-186f, the first exoplanet with a radius similar to Earth's discovered in the habitable zone of another star.

1951

The Peak District was designated the first national park in the United Kingdom

The Peak District was designated the first national park in the United Kingdom.

1980

Robert Mugabe became the first prime minister of Zimbabwe, beginning a 37-year period in power

Robert Mugabe became the first prime minister of Zimbabwe, beginning a 37-year period in power.

1938

Superman, created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster of DC Comics, made his debut in Action Comics #1, the first true super

Superman, created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster of DC Comics, made his debut in Action Comics #1, the first true superhero comic book.

1987

The fictional Simpson family made their first appearance in the short "Good Night", aired in a segment of the The Tracey

The fictional Simpson family made their first appearance in the short "Good Night", aired in a segment of the The Tracey Ullman Show.

1975

Aryabhata (pictured), India's first satellite, was launched from Kapustin Yar in the Soviet Union

Aryabhata (pictured), India's first satellite, was launched from Kapustin Yar in the Soviet Union.

1971

Salyut 1, the first space station, was launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome near Tyuratam in the Soviet Union

Salyut 1, the first space station, was launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome near Tyuratam in the Soviet Union.

1861

The first bloodshed of the American Civil War took place when Confederate sympathizers in Baltimore, Maryland, attacked

The first bloodshed of the American Civil War took place when Confederate sympathizers in Baltimore, Maryland, attacked members of the Massachusetts militia en route to Washington, D.C.

1773

The Polish Partition Sejm met to discuss the First Partition of Poland, carried out the previous year by Russia, Prussia

The Polish Partition Sejm met to discuss the First Partition of Poland, carried out the previous year by Russia, Prussia and Austria.

2023

SpaceX's Starship launched for the first time before exploding four minutes into flight

SpaceX's Starship launched for the first time before exploding four minutes into flight.

2008

American racing driver Danica Patrick won the Indy Japan 300, becoming the first woman to win an IndyCar auto race

American racing driver Danica Patrick won the Indy Japan 300, becoming the first woman to win an IndyCar auto race.

2008

Fernando Lugo became the first candidate not from the Colorado Party candidate to be elected President of Paraguay in 61

Fernando Lugo became the first candidate not from the Colorado Party candidate to be elected President of Paraguay in 61 years.