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1944

World War II: Maastricht becomes the first Dutch city to be liberated by allied forces.

World War II: Maastricht becomes the first Dutch city to be liberated by allied forces.

1916

World War I: Tanks are used for the first time in battle, at the Battle of the Somme.

World War I: Tanks are used for the first time in battle, at the Battle of the Somme.

1961

The world's first retractable roof stadium, the Civic Arena, opens in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The world's first retractable roof stadium, the Civic Arena, opens in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

1916

World War I: Manfred von Richthofen ("The Red Baron"), a flying ace of the German Luftstreitkräfte, wins his first…

World War I: Manfred von Richthofen ("The Red Baron"), a flying ace of the German Luftstreitkräfte, wins his first aerial combat near Cambrai, France.

1939

Second World War: The Royal Navy lost its first warship in the war when German submarine U-29 torpedoed and sank…

Second World War: The Royal Navy lost its first warship in the war when German submarine U-29 torpedoed and sank HMS Courageous.

1946

The first Cannes Film Festival is held, having been delayed for seven years due to World War II.

The first Cannes Film Festival is held, having been delayed for seven years due to World War II.

1953

The Four Level Interchange, first stack interchange in the world opened in Los Angeles.

The Four Level Interchange, first stack interchange in the world opened in Los Angeles.

1914

First World War: The German submarine U-9 sank three Royal Navy cruisers, resulting in approximately 1,450 deaths.

First World War: The German submarine U-9 sank three Royal Navy cruisers, resulting in approximately 1,450 deaths.

1950

Korean War: The Battle of Hill 282 is the first US friendly-fire incident on British military personnel since World…

Korean War: The Battle of Hill 282 is the first US friendly-fire incident on British military personnel since World War II.

1960

USS Enterprise, the world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, is launched.

USS Enterprise, the world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, is launched.

1825

The world's first public railway to use steam locomotives, the Stockton and Darlington Railway, is ceremonially opened…

The world's first public railway to use steam locomotives, the Stockton and Darlington Railway, is ceremonially opened with the engine Locomotion pulling wagons with coal and passengers from Shildon t�

1941

SS Patrick Henry, the first of 2,710 Liberty ships built during World War II by the United States, was launched.

SS Patrick Henry, the first of 2,710 Liberty ships built during World War II by the United States, was launched.

2007

Calder Hall, the world's first commercial nuclear power station, is demolished in a controlled explosion.

Calder Hall, the world's first commercial nuclear power station, is demolished in a controlled explosion.

1885

The first practical public electric tramway in the world is opened in Blackpool, England.

The first practical public electric tramway in the world is opened in Blackpool, England.

1918

World War I: The Battle of St Quentin Canal took place, which led to the British Fourth Army making the first breach…

World War I: The Battle of St Quentin Canal took place, which led to the British Fourth Army making the first breach of the German defensive Hindenburg Line.

1954

The U.S. Navy submarine USS Nautilus is commissioned as the world's first nuclear-powered vessel.

The U.S. Navy submarine USS Nautilus is commissioned as the world's first nuclear-powered vessel.

1915

World War I: Radoje Ljutovac becomes the first soldier in history to shoot down an enemy aircraft with ground-to-air…

World War I: Radoje Ljutovac becomes the first soldier in history to shoot down an enemy aircraft with ground-to-air fire.

1939

Second World War: General Władysław Sikorski (pictured) became the first prime minister of the Polish…

Second World War: General Władysław Sikorski (pictured) became the first prime minister of the Polish government-in-exile.

1989

Denmark introduces the world's first legal same-sex registered partnerships.

Denmark introduces the world's first legal same-sex registered partnerships.

1903

Baseball: The Boston Americans play the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first game of the modern World Series.

Baseball: The Boston Americans play the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first game of the modern World Series.