Search Historical Events

1821

The Saturday Evening Post is published for the first time as a weekly newspaper.

The Saturday Evening Post is published for the first time as a weekly newspaper.

1701

Great Peace of Montreal between New France and First Nations is signed.

Great Peace of Montreal between New France and First Nations is signed.

1971

The first Pacific Islands Forum (then known as the "South Pacific Forum") is held in Wellington, New Zealand, with the…

The first Pacific Islands Forum (then known as the "South Pacific Forum") is held in Wellington, New Zealand, with the aim of enhancing cooperation between the independent countries of the Pacific Oce�

1914

In Cleveland, Ohio, the first electric traffic light is installed.

In Cleveland, Ohio, the first electric traffic light is installed.

1901

Peter O'Connor sets the first World Athletics recognised long jump world record of 24 ft 11.75 in (7.6137 m), a record…

Peter O'Connor sets the first World Athletics recognised long jump world record of 24 ft 11.75 in (7.6137 m), a record that would stand for 20 years.

1888

Bertha Benz drives from Mannheim to Pforzheim and back in the first long distance automobile trip, commemorated as the…

Bertha Benz drives from Mannheim to Pforzheim and back in the first long distance automobile trip, commemorated as the Bertha Benz Memorial Route since 2008.

1858

Cyrus West Field and others complete the first transatlantic telegraph cable after several unsuccessful attempts. It…

Cyrus West Field and others complete the first transatlantic telegraph cable after several unsuccessful attempts. It will operate for less than a month.

1816

The British Admiralty dismisses Francis Ronalds's new invention of the first working electric telegraph as "wholly…

The British Admiralty dismisses Francis Ronalds's new invention of the first working electric telegraph as "wholly unnecessary", preferring to continue using the semaphore.

1772

First Partition of Poland: The representatives of Austria, Prussia, and Russia sign three bilateral conventions…

First Partition of Poland: The representatives of Austria, Prussia, and Russia sign three bilateral conventions condemning the "anarchy" of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth and imputing to the three�

1620

The Mayflower departs from Southampton, England, carrying would-be settlers, on its first attempt to reach North…

The Mayflower departs from Southampton, England, carrying would-be settlers, on its first attempt to reach North America; it is forced to dock in Dartmouth when its companion ship, the Speedwell, spri�

1583

Sir Humphrey Gilbert establishes the first English colony in North America, at what is now St. John's, Newfoundland…

Sir Humphrey Gilbert establishes the first English colony in North America, at what is now St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador.

1991

Tim Berners-Lee releases files describing his idea for the World Wide Web. WWW makes its first appearance as a…

Tim Berners-Lee releases files describing his idea for the World Wide Web. WWW makes its first appearance as a publicly available service on the Internet.

1991

Takako Doi, chair of the Social Democratic Party, becomes Japan's first female speaker of the House of Representatives.

Takako Doi, chair of the Social Democratic Party, becomes Japan's first female speaker of the House of Representatives.

1942

Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands becomes the first reigning queen to address a joint session of the United States…

Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands becomes the first reigning queen to address a joint session of the United States Congress.

1926

Gertrude Ederle becomes the first woman to swim across the English Channel.

Gertrude Ederle becomes the first woman to swim across the English Channel.

1926

First public screening using the Vitaphone process

First public screening using the Vitaphone process

1890

At Auburn Prison in New York, murderer William Kemmler becomes the first person to be executed by electric chair.

At Auburn Prison in New York, murderer William Kemmler becomes the first person to be executed by electric chair.

1819

Norwich University is founded in Vermont as the first private military school in the United States.

Norwich University is founded in Vermont as the first private military school in the United States.

1985

Takao Doi, Mamoru Mohri and Chiaki Mukai are chosen to be Japan's first astronauts.

Takao Doi, Mamoru Mohri and Chiaki Mukai are chosen to be Japan's first astronauts.

1944

IBM dedicates the first program-controlled calculator, the Automatic Sequence Controlled Calculator (known best as the…

IBM dedicates the first program-controlled calculator, the Automatic Sequence Controlled Calculator (known best as the Harvard Mark I).