Search Historical Events

1979

The first black-led government of Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) in 90 years takes power

The first black-led government of Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) in 90 years takes power.

1978

The first international applications under the Patent Cooperation Treaty are filed

The first international applications under the Patent Cooperation Treaty are filed.

1939

First flight of the German Focke-Wulf Fw 190 fighter aircraft

First flight of the German Focke-Wulf Fw 190 fighter aircraft.

1831

James Clark Ross becomes the first European at the North Magnetic Pole

James Clark Ross becomes the first European at the North Magnetic Pole.

1495

A monk, John Cor, records the first known batch of Scotch whisky

A monk, John Cor, records the first known batch of Scotch whisky.

2003

Europe launches its first voyage to another planet, Mars

Europe launches its first voyage to another planet, Mars. The European Space Agency's Mars Express probe launches from the Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan.

1966

Surveyor program: Surveyor 1 lands in Oceanus Procellarum on the Moon, becoming the first U

Surveyor program: Surveyor 1 lands in Oceanus Procellarum on the Moon, becoming the first U.S. spacecraft to soft-land on another world.

1910

Charles Rolls, a co-founder of Rolls-Royce Limited, becomes the first man to make a non-stop double crossing of the Engl

Charles Rolls, a co-founder of Rolls-Royce Limited, becomes the first man to make a non-stop double crossing of the English Channel by plane.

1692

Bridget Bishop is the first person to be tried for witchcraft in Salem, Massachusetts; she was found guilty the same day

Bridget Bishop is the first person to be tried for witchcraft in Salem, Massachusetts; she was found guilty the same day and hanged on June 10.

1615

The first Récollet missionaries arrive at Quebec City, from Rouen, France

The first Récollet missionaries arrive at Quebec City, from Rouen, France.

1973

A Soviet supersonic Tupolev Tu-144 crashes near Goussainville, France, killing 14, the first crash of a supersonic passe

A Soviet supersonic Tupolev Tu-144 crashes near Goussainville, France, killing 14, the first crash of a supersonic passenger aircraft.

1950

Herzog and Lachenal of the French Annapurna expedition become the first climbers to reach the summit of an 8,000-metre p

Herzog and Lachenal of the French Annapurna expedition become the first climbers to reach the summit of an 8,000-metre peak.

1940

Franz Rademacher proposes plans to make Madagascar the "Jewish homeland", an idea that had first been considered by 19th

Franz Rademacher proposes plans to make Madagascar the "Jewish homeland", an idea that had first been considered by 19th century journalist Theodor Herzl.

1889

The first long-distance electric power transmission line in the United States is completed, running 14 miles (23 km) bet

The first long-distance electric power transmission line in the United States is completed, running 14 miles (23 km) between a generator at Willamette Falls and downtown Portland, Oregon.

1098

After a five-month siege during the First Crusade, the Crusaders seize Antioch

After a five-month siege during the First Crusade, the Crusaders seize Antioch.

1996

The first flight of Ariane 5 explodes after roughly 37 seconds

The first flight of Ariane 5 explodes after roughly 37 seconds. It was a Cluster mission.

1989

Solidarity's victory in the 1989 Polish legislative election occurs, the first election since the Communist Polish Unite

Solidarity's victory in the 1989 Polish legislative election occurs, the first election since the Communist Polish United Workers' Party abandoned its monopoly of power. It sparks off the Revolutions�

1975

Governor of California Jerry Brown signs the California Agricultural Labor Relations Act into law, the first law in the

Governor of California Jerry Brown signs the California Agricultural Labor Relations Act into law, the first law in the United States giving farmworkers collective bargaining rights.

1912

Massachusetts becomes the first state of the United States to set a minimum wage

Massachusetts becomes the first state of the United States to set a minimum wage.

1896

Henry Ford completes the Ford Quadricycle, his first gasoline-powered automobile and also gives it a successful test run

Henry Ford completes the Ford Quadricycle, his first gasoline-powered automobile and also gives it a successful test run.