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1683

Oxford University's Ashmolean Museum, the world's first university museum, opened

Oxford University's Ashmolean Museum, the world's first university museum, opened.

2012

The SpaceX Dragon 1 becomes the first commercial spacecraft to successfully rendezvous and berth with the International

The SpaceX Dragon 1 becomes the first commercial spacecraft to successfully rendezvous and berth with the International Space Station.

2001

Erik Weihenmayer becomes the first blind person to reach the summit of Mount Everest, in the Himalayas, with Dr

Erik Weihenmayer becomes the first blind person to reach the summit of Mount Everest, in the Himalayas, with Dr. Sherman Bull.

1979

John Spenkelink, a convicted murderer, is executed in Florida; he is the first person to be executed in the state after

John Spenkelink, a convicted murderer, is executed in Florida; he is the first person to be executed in the state after the reintroduction of capital punishment in 1976.

1978

The first of a series of bombings orchestrated by the Unabomber detonates at Northwestern University resulting in minor

The first of a series of bombings orchestrated by the Unabomber detonates at Northwestern University resulting in minor injuries.

1955

First ascent of Mount Kangchenjunga: On the British Kangchenjunga expedition led by Charles Evans, Joe Brown and George

First ascent of Mount Kangchenjunga: On the British Kangchenjunga expedition led by Charles Evans, Joe Brown and George Band reach the summit of the third-highest mountain in the world (8,586 meters);�

1953

Nuclear weapons testing: At the Nevada Test Site, the United States conducts its first and only nuclear artillery test

Nuclear weapons testing: At the Nevada Test Site, the United States conducts its first and only nuclear artillery test.

1953

The first public television station in the United States officially begins broadcasting as KUHT from the campus of the U

The first public television station in the United States officially begins broadcasting as KUHT from the campus of the University of Houston.

240 BC

First recorded perihelion passage of Halley's Comet

First recorded perihelion passage of Halley's Comet.

0

First National Government / National Day (Argentina)

First National Government / National Day (Argentina)

2012

In a test flight, SpaceX's Dragon became the first commercial spacecraft to rendezvous and berth with the International

In a test flight, SpaceX's Dragon became the first commercial spacecraft to rendezvous and berth with the International Space Station.

1979

Six-year-old Etan Patz disappeared on his way to school in New York City, and later became one of the first missing chil

Six-year-old Etan Patz disappeared on his way to school in New York City, and later became one of the first missing children to have his picture featured on milk cartons.

1955

Joe Brown and George Band, members of the British Kangchenjunga expedition, made the first ascent of the world's third-

Joe Brown and George Band, members of the British Kangchenjunga expedition, made the first ascent of the world's third-highest mountain but deliberately did not set foot on the summit.

1810

The Primera Junta, the first independent government in Argentina, was established in an open cabildo in Buenos Aires, ma

The Primera Junta, the first independent government in Argentina, was established in an open cabildo in Buenos Aires, marking the end of the May Revolution.

1998

The first "National Sorry Day" is held in Australia

The first "National Sorry Day" is held in Australia. Reconciliation events are held nationally, and attended by over a million people.

1991

Zviad Gamsakhurdia becomes the first elected President of the Republic of Georgia in the post-Soviet era

Zviad Gamsakhurdia becomes the first elected President of the Republic of Georgia in the post-Soviet era.

1970

The Soviet Tupolev Tu-144 becomes the first commercial transport to exceed Mach 2

The Soviet Tupolev Tu-144 becomes the first commercial transport to exceed Mach 2.

1938

In the United States, the House Un-American Activities Committee begins its first session

In the United States, the House Un-American Activities Committee begins its first session.

1923

The first 24 Hours of Le Mans is held in France

The first 24 Hours of Le Mans is held in France. Run annually in June thereafter, it became the oldest endurance racing event in the world.

1908

The first major commercial oil strike in the Middle East is made at Masjed Soleyman in southwest Persia

The first major commercial oil strike in the Middle East is made at Masjed Soleyman in southwest Persia. The rights to the resource were quickly acquired by the Anglo-Persian Oil Company.