Search Historical Events

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.

1327

First War of Scottish Independence: James Douglas leads a raid into Weardale and almost kills Edward III of England.

First War of Scottish Independence: James Douglas leads a raid into Weardale and almost kills Edward III of England.

1914

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

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

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.

1861

American Civil War: In order to help pay for the war effort, the United States government levies the first income tax…

American Civil War: In order to help pay for the war effort, the United States government levies the first income tax as part of the Revenue Act of 1861 (3% of all incomes over US$800; rescinded in 18�

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.

1796

The Battle of Castiglione in Napoleon's first Italian campaigns of the French Revolutionary Wars results in a French…

The Battle of Castiglione in Napoleon's first Italian campaigns of the French Revolutionary Wars results in a French victory.

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.

1305

First Scottish War of Independence: Sir John Stewart of Menteith, the pro-English Sheriff of Dumbarton, successfully…

First Scottish War of Independence: Sir John Stewart of Menteith, the pro-English Sheriff of Dumbarton, successfully manages to capture Sir William Wallace of Scotland, leading to Wallace's subsequent�

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.

1990

First American soldiers arrive in Saudi Arabia as part of the Gulf War.

First American soldiers arrive in Saudi Arabia as part of the Gulf War.

1987

Cold War: Lynne Cox becomes the first person to swim from the United States to the Soviet Union, crossing the Bering…

Cold War: Lynne Cox becomes the first person to swim from the United States to the Soviet Union, crossing the Bering Strait from Little Diomede Island in Alaska to Big Diomede in the Soviet Union.