Search Historical Events

2000

The sport of geocaching begins, with the first cache placed and the coordinates from a GPS posted on Usenet

The sport of geocaching begins, with the first cache placed and the coordinates from a GPS posted on Usenet.

1978

The first unsolicited bulk commercial email (which would later become known as "spam") is sent by a Digital Equipment Co

The first unsolicited bulk commercial email (which would later become known as "spam") is sent by a Digital Equipment Corporation marketing representative to every ARPANET address on the west coast of�

1971

Erich Honecker becomes First Secretary of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany, remaining in power until 1989

Erich Honecker becomes First Secretary of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany, remaining in power until 1989.

1913

Raja Harishchandra, the first Indian feature-length film, was released

Raja Harishchandra, the first Indian feature-length film, was released.

1952

The Kentucky Derby is televised nationally for the first time, on the CBS network

The Kentucky Derby is televised nationally for the first time, on the CBS network.

1791

The Great Sejm of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth ratified the first codified national constitution in Europe

The Great Sejm of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth ratified the first codified national constitution in Europe.

1921

West Virginia becomes the first state to legislate a broad sales tax, but does not implement it until a number of years

West Virginia becomes the first state to legislate a broad sales tax, but does not implement it until a number of years later due to enforcement issues.

1913

Raja Harishchandra, the first full-length Indian feature film, is released, marking the beginning of the Indian film ind

Raja Harishchandra, the first full-length Indian feature film, is released, marking the beginning of the Indian film industry.

1830

The Canterbury and Whitstable Railway is opened; it is the first steam-hauled passenger railway to issue season tickets

The Canterbury and Whitstable Railway is opened; it is the first steam-hauled passenger railway to issue season tickets and include a tunnel.

1791

The Constitution of May 3 (the first modern constitution in Europe) is proclaimed by the Sejm of Polish–Lithuanian Commo

The Constitution of May 3 (the first modern constitution in Europe) is proclaimed by the Sejm of Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth.

2002

Barbara Castle, Baroness Castle of Blackburn, English politician, First Secretary of State (born 1910)

Barbara Castle, Baroness Castle of Blackburn, English politician, First Secretary of State (born 1910)

1971

Douglas Carswell, British politician, the first elected MP for the UK Independence Party

Douglas Carswell, British politician, the first elected MP for the UK Independence Party

1917

Kiro Gligorov, Macedonian politician and first president of the Republic of Macedonia (died 2012)

Kiro Gligorov, Macedonian politician and first president of the Republic of Macedonia (died 2012)

2000

Ken Livingstone becomes the first Mayor of London (an office separate from that of the Lord Mayor of London)

Ken Livingstone becomes the first Mayor of London (an office separate from that of the Lord Mayor of London).

1979

Margaret Thatcher becomes the first female Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

Margaret Thatcher becomes the first female Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

1776

Rhode Island becomes the first American colony to renounce allegiance to King George III

Rhode Island becomes the first American colony to renounce allegiance to King George III.

1738

The Imperial Theatrical School, the first ballet school in Russia, is founded

The Imperial Theatrical School, the first ballet school in Russia, is founded.

1820

Julia Gardiner Tyler, American wife of John Tyler, 11th First Lady of the United States (died 1889)

Julia Gardiner Tyler, American wife of John Tyler, 11th First Lady of the United States (died 1889)

1757

Manuel Tolsá, Spanish sculptor and first director of the Academy of San Carlos in Mexico City (died 1816)

Manuel Tolsá, Spanish sculptor and first director of the Academy of San Carlos in Mexico City (died 1816)

2000

Ken Livingstone took office as the first mayor of London

Ken Livingstone took office as the first mayor of London.