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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.

1970

Melania Trump, Slovene-American model; 47th First Lady of the United States

Melania Trump, Slovene-American model; 47th First Lady of the United States

2017

The Shandong was launched for the People's Liberation Army Navy, China's first domestically built aircraft carrier

The Shandong was launched for the People's Liberation Army Navy, China's first domestically built aircraft carrier.

1964

Tanganyika and Zanzibar merged to form Tanzania with Julius Nyerere as its first president

Tanganyika and Zanzibar merged to form Tanzania with Julius Nyerere as its first president.

1958

Service ended on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad's Royal Blue Line, one of the first major electrified train lines in th

Service ended on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad's Royal Blue Line, one of the first major electrified train lines in the U.S. (steam train pictured).

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.

1904

Chris Watson became the first prime minister of Australia from the Australian Labor Party

Chris Watson became the first prime minister of Australia from the Australian Labor Party.

1991

Space Shuttle Discovery launches on STS-39, the first unclassified shuttle mission for the United States Department of D

Space Shuttle Discovery launches on STS-39, the first unclassified shuttle mission for the United States Department of Defense.

1949

The Hukbalahap are accused of assassinating former First Lady of the Philippines Aurora Quezon, while she is en route to

The Hukbalahap are accused of assassinating former First Lady of the Philippines Aurora Quezon, while she is en route to dedicate a hospital in memory of her late husband; her daughter and ten others�

1941

The Ustaše massacre nearly 200 Serbs in the village of Gudovac, the first massacre of their genocidal campaign against S

The Ustaše massacre nearly 200 Serbs in the village of Gudovac, the first massacre of their genocidal campaign against Serbs of the Independent State of Croatia.

1930

The Independence Producers host the first night game in the history of Organized Baseball in Independence, Kansas

The Independence Producers host the first night game in the history of Organized Baseball in Independence, Kansas.

1910

Frenchman Louis Paulhan wins the 1910 London to Manchester air race, the first long-distance aeroplane race in the Unite

Frenchman Louis Paulhan wins the 1910 London to Manchester air race, the first long-distance aeroplane race in the United Kingdom.

1869

Chinese and Irish laborers for the Central Pacific Railroad working on the first transcontinental railroad lay ten miles

Chinese and Irish laborers for the Central Pacific Railroad working on the first transcontinental railroad lay ten miles of track in one day, a feat which has never been matched.

1738

Pope Clement XII issues the first papal condemnation of Freemasonry and formally prohibits Catholics from becoming Freem

Pope Clement XII issues the first papal condemnation of Freemasonry and formally prohibits Catholics from becoming Freemasons.