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1949

Albert II, rhesus macaque, animal astronaut, and first mammal in space

Albert II, rhesus macaque, animal astronaut, and first mammal in space

1977

After the death of dictator Francisco Franco in 1975, the first democratic elections take place in Spain

After the death of dictator Francisco Franco in 1975, the first democratic elections take place in Spain.

1944

In the Saskatchewan general election, the CCF, led by Tommy Douglas, is elected and forms the first socialist government

In the Saskatchewan general election, the CCF, led by Tommy Douglas, is elected and forms the first socialist government in North America.

1919

John Alcock and Arthur Brown complete the first nonstop transatlantic flight when they reach Clifden, County Galway, Ire

John Alcock and Arthur Brown complete the first nonstop transatlantic flight when they reach Clifden, County Galway, Ireland.

1948

Henry McLeish, Scottish footballer, academic, and politician, 2nd First Minister of Scotland

Henry McLeish, Scottish footballer, academic, and politician, 2nd First Minister of Scotland

2012

American acrobat Nik Wallenda became the first person to walk a tightrope stretched directly over Niagara Falls

American acrobat Nik Wallenda became the first person to walk a tightrope stretched directly over Niagara Falls.

1921

Bessie Coleman (pictured) became the first Black person to earn an international pilot's license from the Fédération Aér

Bessie Coleman (pictured) became the first Black person to earn an international pilot's license from the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale.

2016

Shanghai Disneyland Park, the first Disney Park in mainland China, opens to the public

Shanghai Disneyland Park, the first Disney Park in mainland China, opens to the public.

2012

China successfully launches its Shenzhou 9 spacecraft, carrying three astronauts, including the first female Chinese ast

China successfully launches its Shenzhou 9 spacecraft, carrying three astronauts, including the first female Chinese astronaut Liu Yang, to the Tiangong-1 orbital module.

2010

Bhutan becomes the first country to institute a total ban on tobacco

Bhutan becomes the first country to institute a total ban on tobacco.

1963

Soviet Space Program: Vostok 6 mission: Cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova becomes the first woman in space

Soviet Space Program: Vostok 6 mission: Cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova becomes the first woman in space.

1903

Roald Amundsen leaves Oslo, Norway, to commence the first east–west navigation of the Northwest Passage

Roald Amundsen leaves Oslo, Norway, to commence the first east–west navigation of the Northwest Passage.

1884

The first purpose-built roller coaster, LaMarcus Adna Thompson's "Switchback Railway", opens in New York's Coney Island

The first purpose-built roller coaster, LaMarcus Adna Thompson's "Switchback Railway", opens in New York's Coney Island amusement park.

1632

The Plymouth Company granted a land patent to Thomas Purchase, the first settler of Pejepscot, Maine, settling at the si

The Plymouth Company granted a land patent to Thomas Purchase, the first settler of Pejepscot, Maine, settling at the site of Fort Andross.

2012

Liu Yang (pictured), a member of the Shenzhou 9 crew, became the first Chinese woman in space

Liu Yang (pictured), a member of the Shenzhou 9 crew, became the first Chinese woman in space.

1963

Aboard Vostok 6, Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova (pictured) became the first woman in space

Aboard Vostok 6, Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova (pictured) became the first woman in space.

2021

Juneteenth National Independence Day, was signed into law by President Joe Biden, to become the first federal holiday es

Juneteenth National Independence Day, was signed into law by President Joe Biden, to become the first federal holiday established since Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 1983.

1985

Space Shuttle program: STS-51-G mission: Space Shuttle Discovery launches carrying Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Sa

Space Shuttle program: STS-51-G mission: Space Shuttle Discovery launches carrying Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the first Arab and first Muslim in space, as a payload specialist.

1967

Nuclear weapons testing: China announces a successful test of its first thermonuclear weapon

Nuclear weapons testing: China announces a successful test of its first thermonuclear weapon.

1922

Portuguese naval aviators Gago Coutinho and Sacadura Cabral complete the first aerial crossing of the South Atlantic

Portuguese naval aviators Gago Coutinho and Sacadura Cabral complete the first aerial crossing of the South Atlantic.