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1916

Mary Pickford becomes the first female film star to sign a million-dollar contract

Mary Pickford becomes the first female film star to sign a million-dollar contract.

1880

First performance of O Canada at the Congrès national des Canadiens-Français

First performance of O Canada at the Congrès national des Canadiens-Français. The song would later become the national anthem of Canada.

1793

The first Republican constitution in France is adopted

The first Republican constitution in France is adopted.

1717

The Premier Grand Lodge of England is founded in London, the first Masonic Grand Lodge in the world (now the United Gran

The Premier Grand Lodge of England is founded in London, the first Masonic Grand Lodge in the world (now the United Grand Lodge of England).

1497

John Cabot lands in North America at Newfoundland leading the first European exploration of the region since the Vikings

John Cabot lands in North America at Newfoundland leading the first European exploration of the region since the Vikings.

972

Battle of Cedynia, the first documented victory of Polish forces, takes place

Battle of Cedynia, the first documented victory of Polish forces, takes place.

1993

Kim Campbell is sworn in as the first female Prime Minister of Canada

Kim Campbell is sworn in as the first female Prime Minister of Canada.

1992

Space Shuttle Columbia launches on STS-50, the first shuttle mission to carry Extended Duration Orbiter hardware

Space Shuttle Columbia launches on STS-50, the first shuttle mission to carry Extended Duration Orbiter hardware.

1978

The rainbow flag representing gay pride is flown for the first time during the San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parade

The rainbow flag representing gay pride is flown for the first time during the San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parade.

1848

A photograph of the June Days uprising becomes the first known instance of photojournalism

A photograph of the June Days uprising becomes the first known instance of photojournalism.

1678

Venetian Elena Cornaro Piscopia is the first woman awarded a doctorate of philosophy when she graduates from the Univers

Venetian Elena Cornaro Piscopia is the first woman awarded a doctorate of philosophy when she graduates from the University of Padua.

2006

Mari Alkatiri, the first Prime Minister of East Timor, resigns after weeks of political unrest

Mari Alkatiri, the first Prime Minister of East Timor, resigns after weeks of political unrest.

1988

The first crash of an Airbus A320 occurs when Air France Flight 296Q crashes at Mulhouse–Habsheim Airfield in Habsheim,

The first crash of an Airbus A320 occurs when Air France Flight 296Q crashes at Mulhouse–Habsheim Airfield in Habsheim, France, during an air show, killing three of the 136 people on board.

1974

The Universal Product Code is scanned for the first time to sell a package of Wrigley's chewing gum at the Marsh Superma

The Universal Product Code is scanned for the first time to sell a package of Wrigley's chewing gum at the Marsh Supermarket in Troy, Ohio.

1948

William Shockley files the original patent for the grown-junction transistor, the first bipolar junction transistor

William Shockley files the original patent for the grown-junction transistor, the first bipolar junction transistor.

1942

The first flight of the Grumman F6F Hellcat

The first flight of the Grumman F6F Hellcat.

1936

Initial flight of the Focke-Wulf Fw 61, the first practical helicopter

Initial flight of the Focke-Wulf Fw 61, the first practical helicopter.

1906

The first Grand Prix motor race is held at Le Mans

The first Grand Prix motor race is held at Le Mans.

1886

Henri Moissan isolated elemental Fluorine for the first time

Henri Moissan isolated elemental Fluorine for the first time.

1857

The first investiture of the Victoria Cross in Hyde Park, London

The first investiture of the Victoria Cross in Hyde Park, London.