Search Historical Events

1993

Wizards of the Coast released Magic: The Gathering, the first trading card game.

Wizards of the Coast released Magic: The Gathering, the first trading card game.

1888

Bertha Benz made the first long-distance automobile trip, driving 106 km (66 mi) from Mannheim to Pforzheim, Germany,…

Bertha Benz made the first long-distance automobile trip, driving 106 km (66 mi) from Mannheim to Pforzheim, Germany, in a Benz Patent-Motorwagen.

1772

Russia, Prussia and Habsburg Austria began the First Partition of Poland, with the primary motive to restore the…

Russia, Prussia and Habsburg Austria began the First Partition of Poland, with the primary motive to restore the regional balance of power in Eastern Europe.

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.

1848

Susie Taylor, American writer and first black Army nurse (died 1912)

Susie Taylor, American writer and first black Army nurse (died 1912)

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).

1926

The first British Grand Prix was held at Brooklands.

The first British Grand Prix was held at Brooklands.

1909

Alice Huyler Ramsey and three friends become the first women to complete a transcontinental auto trip, taking 59 days…

Alice Huyler Ramsey and three friends become the first women to complete a transcontinental auto trip, taking 59 days to travel from New York, New York to San Francisco, California.

1858

The first Australian rules football match is played between Melbourne Grammar and Scotch College.

The first Australian rules football match is played between Melbourne Grammar and Scotch College.

1786

The first federal Indian Reservation is created by the United States.

The first federal Indian Reservation is created by the United States.

1714

The Battle of Gangut: The first important victory of the Russian Navy.

The Battle of Gangut: The first important victory of the Russian Navy.

1679

The brigantine Le Griffon becomes the first ship to sail the upper Great Lakes of North America.

The brigantine Le Griffon becomes the first ship to sail the upper Great Lakes of North America.

1987

Lynne Cox became the first person to swim between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, crossing from Little Diomede to Big…

Lynne Cox became the first person to swim between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, crossing from Little Diomede to Big Diomede in the Bering Strait in 2 hours and 5 minutes.