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1979

Margaret Thatcher became the first female prime minister of the United Kingdom

Margaret Thatcher became the first female prime minister of the United Kingdom.

1974

An all-female Japanese team reached the summit of Manaslu in the Himalayas, becoming the first women to climb a peak hig

An all-female Japanese team reached the summit of Manaslu in the Himalayas, becoming the first women to climb a peak higher than 8,000 metres (26,247 ft) above sea level.

1776

American Revolution: The Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations became the first of the Thirteen Colonies to

American Revolution: The Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations became the first of the Thirteen Colonies to renounce its allegiance to the British Crown.

1961

Project Mercury: Alan Shepard becomes the first American to travel into outer space, on a sub-orbital flight

Project Mercury: Alan Shepard becomes the first American to travel into outer space, on a sub-orbital flight.

1912

The first issue of the Bolshevik newspaper Pravda was published

The first issue of the Bolshevik newspaper Pravda was published.

1905

The trial in the Stratton Brothers case begins in London, England; it marks the first time that fingerprint evidence is

The trial in the Stratton Brothers case begins in London, England; it marks the first time that fingerprint evidence is used to gain a conviction for murder.

1891

The Music Hall in New York City (later known as Carnegie Hall) has its grand opening and first public performance, with

The Music Hall in New York City (later known as Carnegie Hall) has its grand opening and first public performance, with Tchaikovsky as the guest conductor.

1866

Memorial Day first celebrated in United States at Waterloo, New York

Memorial Day first celebrated in United States at Waterloo, New York.

1835

The first railway in continental Europe opens between Brussels and Mechelen

The first railway in continental Europe opens between Brussels and Mechelen.

1821

The first edition of The Manchester Guardian, now The Guardian, is published

The first edition of The Manchester Guardian, now The Guardian, is published.

1809

Mary Kies becomes the first woman awarded a U

Mary Kies becomes the first woman awarded a U.S. patent, for a technique of weaving straw with silk and thread.

1789

In France, the Estates-General convenes for the first time since 1614

In France, the Estates-General convenes for the first time since 1614.

1992

The Twenty-seventh Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified, 202 years after it was first proposed

The Twenty-seventh Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified, 202 years after it was first proposed.

1904

Pitching for the Boston Americans, Cy Young threw the first perfect game in modern professional baseball

Pitching for the Boston Americans, Cy Young threw the first perfect game in modern professional baseball.

1646

First English Civil War: Charles I surrendered himself to Scottish Covenanter leader David Leslie near Newark, England

First English Civil War: Charles I surrendered himself to Scottish Covenanter leader David Leslie near Newark, England.

2001

During a trip to Syria, Pope John Paul II becomes the first pope to enter a mosque

During a trip to Syria, Pope John Paul II becomes the first pope to enter a mosque.

1999

The first elections to the devolved Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly are held

The first elections to the devolved Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly are held.

1960

More than 20 million viewers watch the first televised royal wedding when Princess Margaret marries Antony Armstrong-Jon

More than 20 million viewers watch the first televised royal wedding when Princess Margaret marries Antony Armstrong-Jones at Westminster Abbey.

1954

Roger Bannister becomes the first person to run the mile in under four minutes

Roger Bannister becomes the first person to run the mile in under four minutes.

1941

At California's March Field, Bob Hope performs his first USO show

At California's March Field, Bob Hope performs his first USO show.