Search Historical Events

1991

The first instalment of the video-game series Sonic the Hedgehog was released in North America

The first instalment of the video-game series Sonic the Hedgehog was released in North America.

1926

The College Board administered the first SAT, a major standardized test for university and college admissions in the Uni

The College Board administered the first SAT, a major standardized test for university and college admissions in the United States.

1797

War of the First Coalition: Napoleon signed the Armistice of Bologna, agreeing a ceasefire between France and the Papal

War of the First Coalition: Napoleon signed the Armistice of Bologna, agreeing a ceasefire between France and the Papal States.

2010

Julia Gillard (pictured) was sworn in as the first female prime minister of Australia after incumbent Kevin Rudd decline

Julia Gillard (pictured) was sworn in as the first female prime minister of Australia after incumbent Kevin Rudd declined to contest a leadership spill in the Labor Party.

1939

The first of the Thai cultural mandates was issued, officially changing the country's name from Siam to Thailand

The first of the Thai cultural mandates was issued, officially changing the country's name from Siam to Thailand.

1880

"O Canada", the present-day national anthem of Canada, was first performed in Quebec City during a Saint-Jean-Baptiste D

"O Canada", the present-day national anthem of Canada, was first performed in Quebec City during a Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day banquet.

1717

The first Grand Lodge of Freemasonry, the Premier Grand Lodge of England, was founded in London

The first Grand Lodge of Freemasonry, the Premier Grand Lodge of England, was founded in London.

1314

In the decisive battle of the First War of Scottish Independence, Scottish forces led by Robert the Bruce defeated Engli

In the decisive battle of the First War of Scottish Independence, Scottish forces led by Robert the Bruce defeated English troops under Edward II near Bannockburn, Scotland.

1978

The rainbow flag (original version pictured) representing gay pride was first flown at the San Francisco Gay Freedom Day

The rainbow flag (original version pictured) representing gay pride was first flown at the San Francisco Gay Freedom Day parade.

1906

The 1906 French Grand Prix, the first Grand Prix motor racing competition, began near Le Mans

The 1906 French Grand Prix, the first Grand Prix motor racing competition, began near Le Mans.

1976

The first identifiable case of Ebola occurred in Sudan

The first identifiable case of Ebola occurred in Sudan.

1950

Korean War: Five North Korean aircraft attacked an American air convoy above Suwon Air Base in the first air engagement

Korean War: Five North Korean aircraft attacked an American air convoy above Suwon Air Base in the first air engagement of the Korean War.

1905

First Russian Revolution: The crew of the Russian battleship Potemkin began a mutiny against their officers

First Russian Revolution: The crew of the Russian battleship Potemkin began a mutiny against their officers.

1571

Queen Elizabeth I issued a royal charter establishing Jesus College, the first Protestant college at the University of O

Queen Elizabeth I issued a royal charter establishing Jesus College, the first Protestant college at the University of Oxford.

1911

The Nakhla meteorite (fragments pictured), the first meteorite to suggest signs of aqueous processes on Mars, fell to Ea

The Nakhla meteorite (fragments pictured), the first meteorite to suggest signs of aqueous processes on Mars, fell to Earth in Abu Hummus, Egypt.

1841

Giselle (title role pictured), a ballet by the French composer Adolphe Adam, was first performed at the Théâtre de l'Aca

Giselle (title role pictured), a ballet by the French composer Adolphe Adam, was first performed at the Théâtre de l'Académie Royale de Musique in Paris.

1995

Atlantis became the first U

Atlantis became the first U.S. Space Shuttle to dock with the Russian space station Mir as part of the Shuttle–Mir program.

1776

The first privateer battle of the American Revolutionary War, the Battle of Turtle Gut Inlet, was fought near Cape May,

The first privateer battle of the American Revolutionary War, the Battle of Turtle Gut Inlet, was fought near Cape May, New Jersey.

1926

The College Board administered the first Scholastic Aptitude Test, a major standardized test for university and…

The College Board administered the first Scholastic Aptitude Test, a major standardized test for university and college admissions in the United States.

2010

Julia Gillard was sworn in as the first female prime minister of Australia after incumbent Kevin Rudd declined to…

Julia Gillard was sworn in as the first female prime minister of Australia after incumbent Kevin Rudd declined to contest a leadership spill in the Labor Party.