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1774

Rhode Island becomes the first of Britain's North American colonies to ban the importation of slaves

Rhode Island becomes the first of Britain's North American colonies to ban the importation of slaves.

1959

Disneyland Monorail System, the first daily operating monorail system in the Western Hemisphere, opens to the public in

Disneyland Monorail System, the first daily operating monorail system in the Western Hemisphere, opens to the public in Anaheim, California.

1941

June deportation: The first major wave of Soviet mass deportations of Estonians, Latvians, and Lithuanians from the occu

June deportation: The first major wave of Soviet mass deportations of Estonians, Latvians, and Lithuanians from the occupied Baltic states begins.

1940

Seven hundred and twenty-eight Polish political prisoners from Tarnów become the first inmates of the Auschwitz concentr

Seven hundred and twenty-eight Polish political prisoners from Tarnów become the first inmates of the Auschwitz concentration camp.

1937

Pennsylvania becomes the first (and only) state of the United States to celebrate Flag Day officially as a state holiday

Pennsylvania becomes the first (and only) state of the United States to celebrate Flag Day officially as a state holiday.

1839

Henley Royal Regatta: the village of Henley-on-Thames, on the River Thames in Oxfordshire, stages its first regatta

Henley Royal Regatta: the village of Henley-on-Thames, on the River Thames in Oxfordshire, stages its first regatta.

1800

The French Army of First Consul Napoleon Bonaparte defeats the Austrians at the Battle of Marengo in Northern Italy and

The French Army of First Consul Napoleon Bonaparte defeats the Austrians at the Battle of Marengo in Northern Italy and re-conquers Italy.

1618

Joris Veseler prints the first Dutch newspaper Courante uyt Italien, Duytslandt, &c

Joris Veseler prints the first Dutch newspaper Courante uyt Italien, Duytslandt, &c. in Amsterdam (approximate date).

1216

First Barons' War: Prince Louis of France takes the city of Winchester, abandoned by John, King of England, and soon con

First Barons' War: Prince Louis of France takes the city of Winchester, abandoned by John, King of England, and soon conquers over half of the kingdom.

1977

After the death of dictator Francisco Franco in 1975, the first democratic elections take place in Spain

After the death of dictator Francisco Franco in 1975, the first democratic elections take place in Spain.

1944

In the Saskatchewan general election, the CCF, led by Tommy Douglas, is elected and forms the first socialist government

In the Saskatchewan general election, the CCF, led by Tommy Douglas, is elected and forms the first socialist government in North America.

1919

John Alcock and Arthur Brown complete the first nonstop transatlantic flight when they reach Clifden, County Galway, Ire

John Alcock and Arthur Brown complete the first nonstop transatlantic flight when they reach Clifden, County Galway, Ireland.

2016

Shanghai Disneyland Park, the first Disney Park in mainland China, opens to the public

Shanghai Disneyland Park, the first Disney Park in mainland China, opens to the public.

2012

China successfully launches its Shenzhou 9 spacecraft, carrying three astronauts, including the first female Chinese ast

China successfully launches its Shenzhou 9 spacecraft, carrying three astronauts, including the first female Chinese astronaut Liu Yang, to the Tiangong-1 orbital module.

2010

Bhutan becomes the first country to institute a total ban on tobacco

Bhutan becomes the first country to institute a total ban on tobacco.

1963

Soviet Space Program: Vostok 6 mission: Cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova becomes the first woman in space

Soviet Space Program: Vostok 6 mission: Cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova becomes the first woman in space.

1903

Roald Amundsen leaves Oslo, Norway, to commence the first east–west navigation of the Northwest Passage

Roald Amundsen leaves Oslo, Norway, to commence the first east–west navigation of the Northwest Passage.

1884

The first purpose-built roller coaster, LaMarcus Adna Thompson's "Switchback Railway", opens in New York's Coney Island

The first purpose-built roller coaster, LaMarcus Adna Thompson's "Switchback Railway", opens in New York's Coney Island amusement park.

1632

The Plymouth Company granted a land patent to Thomas Purchase, the first settler of Pejepscot, Maine, settling at the si

The Plymouth Company granted a land patent to Thomas Purchase, the first settler of Pejepscot, Maine, settling at the site of Fort Andross.

2021

Juneteenth National Independence Day, was signed into law by President Joe Biden, to become the first federal holiday es

Juneteenth National Independence Day, was signed into law by President Joe Biden, to become the first federal holiday established since Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 1983.