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1954

The Boeing 367-80, the prototype for both the Boeing 707 and C-135 series, takes its first flight.

The Boeing 367-80, the prototype for both the Boeing 707 and C-135 series, takes its first flight.

1741

Aleksei Chirikov sights land in Southeast Alaska. He sends men ashore in a longboat, making them the first Europeans…

Aleksei Chirikov sights land in Southeast Alaska. He sends men ashore in a longboat, making them the first Europeans to visit Alaska.

1640

The first university of Finland, the Royal Academy of Turku, is inaugurated in Turku.

The first university of Finland, the Royal Academy of Turku, is inaugurated in Turku.

1099

First Crusade: Christian soldiers take the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem after the final assault of a…

First Crusade: Christian soldiers take the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem after the final assault of a difficult siege.

2018

Croatian Mario Mandžukić scored the first own goal in a FIFA World Cup final in their defeat to France.

Croatian Mario Mandžukić scored the first own goal in a FIFA World Cup final in their defeat to France.

1983

Sega's first home video game console, the SG-1000 (pictured), was released in Japan.

Sega's first home video game console, the SG-1000 (pictured), was released in Japan.

1943

The all-female Emilia Plater Independent Women's Battalion was formed in the Soviet Union's First Polish Army.

The all-female Emilia Plater Independent Women's Battalion was formed in the Soviet Union's First Polish Army.

2004

Millennium Park, considered Chicago's first and most ambitious early 21st-century architectural project, is opened to…

Millennium Park, considered Chicago's first and most ambitious early 21st-century architectural project, is opened to the public by Mayor Richard M. Daley.

1935

The world's first parking meter is installed in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

The world's first parking meter is installed in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

1931

Emperor Haile Selassie signs the first constitution of Ethiopia.

Emperor Haile Selassie signs the first constitution of Ethiopia.

1916

Max Reger's Hebbel Requiem is first performed in a memorial concert for the composer, conducted by Philipp Wolfrum.

Max Reger's Hebbel Requiem is first performed in a memorial concert for the composer, conducted by Philipp Wolfrum.

1915

At Treasure Island on the Delaware River in the United States, the First Order of the Arrow ceremony takes place and…

At Treasure Island on the Delaware River in the United States, the First Order of the Arrow ceremony takes place and the Order of the Arrow is founded to honor American Boy Scouts who best exemplify t�

1769

Father Junípero Serra founds California's first mission, Mission San Diego de Alcalá. Over the following decades, it…

Father Junípero Serra founds California's first mission, Mission San Diego de Alcalá. Over the following decades, it evolves into the city of San Diego, California.

1661

The first banknotes in Europe are issued by the Swedish bank Stockholms Banco.

The first banknotes in Europe are issued by the Swedish bank Stockholms Banco.

1882

Mary Todd Lincoln, First Lady of the United States 1861–1865 (born 1818)

Mary Todd Lincoln, First Lady of the United States 1861–1865 (born 1818)

1994

Fragments of Comet Shoemaker–Levy 9 began colliding with the planet Jupiter , with the first impact causing a fireball…

Fragments of Comet Shoemaker–Levy 9 began colliding with the planet Jupiter , with the first impact causing a fireball that reached a peak temperature of 24,000 kelvin.

1951

The Catcher in the Rye, an American coming-of-age novel by J. D. Salinger, was first published (cover pictured).

The Catcher in the Rye, an American coming-of-age novel by J. D. Salinger, was first published (cover pictured).

1945

The United States conducted the first detonation of a nuclear weapon during the Trinity test (pictured).

The United States conducted the first detonation of a nuclear weapon during the Trinity test (pictured).

1931

Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie promulgated the nation's first modern constitution.

Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie promulgated the nation's first modern constitution.

1916

Max Reger's Hebbel Requiem was first performed in a memorial concert for the composer, conducted by Philipp Wolfrum.

Max Reger's Hebbel Requiem was first performed in a memorial concert for the composer, conducted by Philipp Wolfrum.