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1679

The brigantine Le Griffon becomes the first ship to sail the upper Great Lakes of North America.

The brigantine Le Griffon becomes the first ship to sail the upper Great Lakes of North America.

1988

The first night baseball game in the history of Chicago's Wrigley Field (game was rained out in the fourth inning).

The first night baseball game in the history of Chicago's Wrigley Field (game was rained out in the fourth inning).

1946

First flight of the nuclear capable Convair B-36, heaviest mass-produced piston-engined aircraft at the time.

First flight of the nuclear capable Convair B-36, heaviest mass-produced piston-engined aircraft at the time.

1908

Wilbur Wright makes the Wright Brothers' first public flight, at a racecourse at Le Mans, France.

Wilbur Wright makes the Wright Brothers' first public flight, at a racecourse at Le Mans, France.

1786

Mont Blanc on the French-Italian border is climbed for the first time by Jacques Balmat and Dr. Michel-Gabriel Paccard.

Mont Blanc on the French-Italian border is climbed for the first time by Jacques Balmat and Dr. Michel-Gabriel Paccard.

2012

Shannon Eastin becomes the first woman to officiate an NFL game.

Shannon Eastin becomes the first woman to officiate an NFL game.

1974

As a direct result of the Watergate scandal, Richard Nixon becomes the first president of the United States to resign…

As a direct result of the Watergate scandal, Richard Nixon becomes the first president of the United States to resign from office. Vice President Gerald Ford becomes president.

1907

The first Boy Scout encampment concludes at Brownsea Island in southern England.

The first Boy Scout encampment concludes at Brownsea Island in southern England.

1897

The first International Congress of Mathematicians is held in Zürich, Switzerland.

The first International Congress of Mathematicians is held in Zürich, Switzerland.

2003

NATO takes over command of the peacekeeping force in Afghanistan, marking its first major operation outside Europe in…

NATO takes over command of the peacekeeping force in Afghanistan, marking its first major operation outside Europe in its 54-year-history.

1991

Nickelodeon's first line of "Nicktoons" (Doug, Rugrats & Ren & Stimpy) premiere on the channel.

Nickelodeon's first line of "Nicktoons" (Doug, Rugrats & Ren & Stimpy) premiere on the channel.

1962

Vostok 3 launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome and cosmonaut Andrian Nikolayev becomes the first person to float in…

Vostok 3 launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome and cosmonaut Andrian Nikolayev becomes the first person to float in microgravity.

1934

The first civilian prisoners arrive at the Federal prison on Alcatraz Island.

The first civilian prisoners arrive at the Federal prison on Alcatraz Island.

1929

Babe Ruth becomes the first baseball player to hit 500 home runs in his career with a home run at League Park in…

Babe Ruth becomes the first baseball player to hit 500 home runs in his career with a home run at League Park in Cleveland, Ohio.

1858

The Eiger in the Bernese Alps is ascended for the first time by Charles Barrington accompanied by Christian Almer and…

The Eiger in the Bernese Alps is ascended for the first time by Charles Barrington accompanied by Christian Almer and Peter Bohren.

1804

Francis II assumes the title of first Emperor of Austria.

Francis II assumes the title of first Emperor of Austria.

1977

The first free flight of the Space Shuttle Enterprise.

The first free flight of the Space Shuttle Enterprise.

1960

Echo 1A, NASA's first successful communications satellite, is launched.

Echo 1A, NASA's first successful communications satellite, is launched.

1944

Alençon is liberated by General Philippe Leclerc de Hauteclocque, the first city in France to be liberated from the…

Alençon is liberated by General Philippe Leclerc de Hauteclocque, the first city in France to be liberated from the Nazis by French forces.

1865

Joseph Lister, British surgeon and scientist, performs the first antiseptic surgery.

Joseph Lister, British surgeon and scientist, performs the first antiseptic surgery.