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1956

TAT-1, the first submarine transatlantic telephone cable system, is inaugurated.

TAT-1, the first submarine transatlantic telephone cable system, is inaugurated.

1926

The international Convention to Suppress the Slave Trade and Slavery is first signed.

The international Convention to Suppress the Slave Trade and Slavery is first signed.

1960

In Chicago, the first televised debate takes place between presidential candidates Richard M. Nixon and John F. Kennedy.

In Chicago, the first televised debate takes place between presidential candidates Richard M. Nixon and John F. Kennedy.

1789

George Washington appoints Thomas Jefferson the first United States Secretary of State.

George Washington appoints Thomas Jefferson the first United States Secretary of State.

2008

CNSA astronaut Zhai Zhigang becomes the first Chinese person to perform a spacewalk.

CNSA astronaut Zhai Zhigang becomes the first Chinese person to perform a spacewalk.

1956

USAF Captain Milburn G. Apt becomes the first person to exceed Mach 3. Shortly thereafter, the Bell X-2 goes out of…

USAF Captain Milburn G. Apt becomes the first person to exceed Mach 3. Shortly thereafter, the Bell X-2 goes out of control and Captain Apt is killed.

1941

The SS Patrick Henry is launched, becoming the first of more than 2,700 Liberty ships.

The SS Patrick Henry is launched, becoming the first of more than 2,700 Liberty ships.

1825

The world's first public railway to use steam locomotives, the Stockton and Darlington Railway, is ceremonially opened…

The world's first public railway to use steam locomotives, the Stockton and Darlington Railway, is ceremonially opened with the engine Locomotion pulling wagons with coal and passengers from Shildon t�

2008

Falcon 1 becomes the first privately developed liquid-fuel ground-launched vehicle to put a payload into orbit by the…

Falcon 1 becomes the first privately developed liquid-fuel ground-launched vehicle to put a payload into orbit by the RatSat mission.

1986

The Democratic Progressive Party becomes the first opposition party in Taiwan.

The Democratic Progressive Party becomes the first opposition party in Taiwan.

1951

CBS makes the first color televisions available for sale to the general public, but the product is discontinued less…

CBS makes the first color televisions available for sale to the general public, but the product is discontinued less than a month later.

1924

The first aerial circumnavigation is completed by a team from the US Army.

The first aerial circumnavigation is completed by a team from the US Army.

1912

Corporal Frank S. Scott of the United States Army becomes the first enlisted man to die in an airplane crash.

Corporal Frank S. Scott of the United States Army becomes the first enlisted man to die in an airplane crash.

1892

The first night game for American football takes place in a contest between Wyoming Seminary and Mansfield State Normal.

The first night game for American football takes place in a contest between Wyoming Seminary and Mansfield State Normal.

1542

Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo of Portugal arrives at what is now San Diego, California. He is the first European in…

Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo of Portugal arrives at what is now San Diego, California. He is the first European in California.

2007

Calder Hall, the world's first commercial nuclear power station, is demolished in a controlled explosion.

Calder Hall, the world's first commercial nuclear power station, is demolished in a controlled explosion.

2004

Burt Rutan's Ansari SpaceShipOne performs a successful spaceflight, the first of two required to win the Ansari X Prize.

Burt Rutan's Ansari SpaceShipOne performs a successful spaceflight, the first of two required to win the Ansari X Prize.

1990

The YF-22, which would later become the F-22 Raptor, flies for the first time.

The YF-22, which would later become the F-22 Raptor, flies for the first time.

1988

NASA launches STS-26, the first Space Shuttle mission since the Challenger disaster.

NASA launches STS-26, the first Space Shuttle mission since the Challenger disaster.

1975

WGPR becomes the first black-owned-and-operated television station in the US.

WGPR becomes the first black-owned-and-operated television station in the US.