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1778

American Revolution: First Battle of Ushant: British and French fleets fight to a standoff.

American Revolution: First Battle of Ushant: British and French fleets fight to a standoff.

1714

The Great Northern War: The first significant victory of the Russian Navy in the naval battle of Gangut against the…

The Great Northern War: The first significant victory of the Russian Navy in the naval battle of Gangut against the Swedish Navy near the Hanko Peninsula.

1299

According to Edward Gibbon, Osman I invades the territory of Nicomedia for the first time, usually considered to be…

According to Edward Gibbon, Osman I invades the territory of Nicomedia for the first time, usually considered to be the founding day of the Ottoman state.

1938

Hawaii Clipper disappears between Guam and Manila as the first loss of an airliner in trans-Pacific China Clipper…

Hawaii Clipper disappears between Guam and Manila as the first loss of an airliner in trans-Pacific China Clipper service.

1935

First flight of the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress.

First flight of the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress.

1866

At the age of 18, Vinnie Ream becomes the first and youngest female artist to receive a commission from the United…

At the age of 18, Vinnie Ream becomes the first and youngest female artist to receive a commission from the United States government for a statue (of Abraham Lincoln).

2015

The first piece of suspected debris from Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 is discovered on Réunion Island.

The first piece of suspected debris from Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 is discovered on Réunion Island.

1976

In New York City, David Berkowitz (a.k.a. the "Son of Sam") kills one person and seriously wounds another in the first…

In New York City, David Berkowitz (a.k.a. the "Son of Sam") kills one person and seriously wounds another in the first of a series of attacks.

1973

Greeks vote to abolish the monarchy, beginning the first period of the Metapolitefsi.

Greeks vote to abolish the monarchy, beginning the first period of the Metapolitefsi.

1965

Vietnam War: The first 4,000 101st Airborne Division paratroopers arrive in Vietnam, landing at Cam Ranh Bay.

Vietnam War: The first 4,000 101st Airborne Division paratroopers arrive in Vietnam, landing at Cam Ranh Bay.

1959

First United States Congress elections in Hawaii as a state of the Union.

First United States Congress elections in Hawaii as a state of the Union.

1899

The First Hague Convention is signed.

The First Hague Convention is signed.

587 BC

The Neo-Babylonian Empire sacks Jerusalem and destroys the First Temple.

The Neo-Babylonian Empire sacks Jerusalem and destroys the First Temple.

1859

First ascent of Grand Combin, one of the highest summits in the Alps.

First ascent of Grand Combin, one of the highest summits in the Alps.

1733

The first Masonic Grand Lodge in the future United States is constituted in Massachusetts.

The first Masonic Grand Lodge in the future United States is constituted in Massachusetts.

1419

First Defenestration of Prague: A crowd of radical Hussites kill seven members of the Prague city council.

First Defenestration of Prague: A crowd of radical Hussites kill seven members of the Prague city council.

1991

The United States and Soviet Union both sign the START I Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, the first to reduce (with…

The United States and Soviet Union both sign the START I Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, the first to reduce (with verification) both countries' stockpiles.

1971

Apollo program: the Apollo 15 astronauts become the first to ride in a lunar rover.

Apollo program: the Apollo 15 astronauts become the first to ride in a lunar rover.

1964

Ranger program: Ranger 7 sends back the first close-up photographs of the moon, with images 1,000 times clearer than…

Ranger program: Ranger 7 sends back the first close-up photographs of the moon, with images 1,000 times clearer than anything ever seen from earth-bound telescopes.

1790

The first U.S. patent is issued, to inventor Samuel Hopkins for a potash process.

The first U.S. patent is issued, to inventor Samuel Hopkins for a potash process.