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1859

Members of the Melbourne Football Club codified the first rules of Australian rules football

Members of the Melbourne Football Club codified the first rules of Australian rules football.

2004

Massachusetts became the first U

Massachusetts became the first U.S. state to legalize same-sex marriage.

1997

The First Congo War came to an end when Laurent-Désiré Kabila proclaimed himself president of Zaire, which was also rena

The First Congo War came to an end when Laurent-Désiré Kabila proclaimed himself president of Zaire, which was also renamed the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

1900

The first copies of the children's novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L

The first copies of the children's novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum were printed.

1974

Nuclear weapons testing: Under project Smiling Buddha, India successfully detonates its first nuclear weapon becoming th

Nuclear weapons testing: Under project Smiling Buddha, India successfully detonates its first nuclear weapon becoming the sixth nation to do so.

1953

Jacqueline Cochran becomes the first woman to break the sound barrier

Jacqueline Cochran becomes the first woman to break the sound barrier.

1948

The First Legislative Yuan of the Republic of China officially convenes in Nanking

The First Legislative Yuan of the Republic of China officially convenes in Nanking.

1927

After being founded for 20 years, the Nationalist government approves Tongji University to be among the its first nation

After being founded for 20 years, the Nationalist government approves Tongji University to be among the its first national universities.

1912

The first Indian film, Shree Pundalik by Dadasaheb Torne, is released in Mumbai

The first Indian film, Shree Pundalik by Dadasaheb Torne, is released in Mumbai.

1848

Opening of the first German National Assembly (Nationalversammlung) in Frankfurt, Germany

Opening of the first German National Assembly (Nationalversammlung) in Frankfurt, Germany.

1811

Battle of Las Piedras: The first great military triumph of the revolution of the Río de la Plata in Uruguay led by José

Battle of Las Piedras: The first great military triumph of the revolution of the Río de la Plata in Uruguay led by José Artigas.

1794

Battle of Tourcoing during the Flanders Campaign of the War of the First Coalition

Battle of Tourcoing during the Flanders Campaign of the War of the First Coalition.

1783

First United Empire Loyalists reach Parrtown (later called Saint John, New Brunswick), Canada, after leaving the United

First United Empire Loyalists reach Parrtown (later called Saint John, New Brunswick), Canada, after leaving the United States.

1631

In Dorchester, Massachusetts, John Winthrop takes the oath of office and becomes the first Governor of Massachusetts

In Dorchester, Massachusetts, John Winthrop takes the oath of office and becomes the first Governor of Massachusetts.

1096

First Crusade: Around 800 Jews are massacred in Worms, Germany

First Crusade: Around 800 Jews are massacred in Worms, Germany.

1933

Bernadette Chirac, French politician, First Lady of France

Bernadette Chirac, French politician, First Lady of France

1952

First Indochina War: Viet Minh forces overran a French and Laotian garrison at Muong Khoua, leaving only four survivors

First Indochina War: Viet Minh forces overran a French and Laotian garrison at Muong Khoua, leaving only four survivors.

1975

Junko Tabei from Japan becomes the first woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest

Junko Tabei from Japan becomes the first woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest.

1960

Theodore Maiman operates the first optical laser (a ruby laser), at Hughes Research Laboratories in Malibu, California

Theodore Maiman operates the first optical laser (a ruby laser), at Hughes Research Laboratories in Malibu, California.

1959

The Tritons' Fountain in Valletta, Malta is turned on for the first time

The Tritons' Fountain in Valletta, Malta is turned on for the first time.