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1970

The Gambia becomes a republic within the Commonwealth of Nations, with Dawda Jawara as its first President

The Gambia becomes a republic within the Commonwealth of Nations, with Dawda Jawara as its first President.

1924

Thorvald Stauning becomes premier of Denmark (first term)

Thorvald Stauning becomes premier of Denmark (first term).

1922

The first segment of the Imperial Wireless Chain providing wireless telegraphy between Leafield in Oxfordshire, England,

The first segment of the Imperial Wireless Chain providing wireless telegraphy between Leafield in Oxfordshire, England, and Cairo, Egypt, comes into operation.

1895

Joshua Slocum, the first person to sail single-handedly around the world, sets sail from Boston, Massachusetts aboard th

Joshua Slocum, the first person to sail single-handedly around the world, sets sail from Boston, Massachusetts aboard the sloop Spray.

1704

The first regular newspaper in British Colonial America, The Boston News-Letter, is published

The first regular newspaper in British Colonial America, The Boston News-Letter, is published.

2007

Boris Yeltsin's funeral: The first to be sanctioned by the Russian Orthodox Church for a head of state since the funeral

Boris Yeltsin's funeral: The first to be sanctioned by the Russian Orthodox Church for a head of state since the funeral of Emperor Alexander III in 1894.

1990

Violeta Chamorro takes office as the President of Nicaragua, the first woman to hold the position

Violeta Chamorro takes office as the President of Nicaragua, the first woman to hold the position.

1960

The United States Navy submarine USS Triton completes the first submerged circumnavigation of the globe

The United States Navy submarine USS Triton completes the first submerged circumnavigation of the globe.

1954

The first practical solar cell is publicly demonstrated by Bell Telephone Laboratories

The first practical solar cell is publicly demonstrated by Bell Telephone Laboratories.

1901

New York becomes the first U

New York becomes the first U.S. state to require automobile license plates.

1134

The name Zagreb was mentioned for the first time in the Felician Charter relating to the establishment of the Zagreb Bis

The name Zagreb was mentioned for the first time in the Felician Charter relating to the establishment of the Zagreb Bishopric around 1094.

1994

South Africa begins its first multiracial election, which is won by Nelson Mandela's African National Congress

South Africa begins its first multiracial election, which is won by Nelson Mandela's African National Congress.

1962

The British space programme launches its first satellite, the Ariel 1

The British space programme launches its first satellite, the Ariel 1.

1956

SS Ideal X, the world's first successful container ship, leaves Port Newark, New Jersey, for Houston, Texas

SS Ideal X, the world's first successful container ship, leaves Port Newark, New Jersey, for Houston, Texas.

1954

The first clinical trials of Jonas Salk's polio vaccine begin in Fairfax County, Virginia

The first clinical trials of Jonas Salk's polio vaccine begin in Fairfax County, Virginia.

1925

Paul von Hindenburg defeats Wilhelm Marx in the second round of the German presidential election to become the first dir

Paul von Hindenburg defeats Wilhelm Marx in the second round of the German presidential election to become the first directly elected head of state of the Weimar Republic.

1994

South African general election: The first democratic general election in South Africa, in which black citizens could vot

South African general election: The first democratic general election in South Africa, in which black citizens could vote. The Interim Constitution comes into force.

1992

Betty Boothroyd becomes the first woman to be elected Speaker of the British House of Commons in its 700-year history

Betty Boothroyd becomes the first woman to be elected Speaker of the British House of Commons in its 700-year history.

1906

The State Duma of the Russian Empire meets for the first time

The State Duma of the Russian Empire meets for the first time.

1565

Cebu is established becoming the first Spanish settlement in the Philippines

Cebu is established becoming the first Spanish settlement in the Philippines.