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1877..... U.K ..... the FIRST human cannon ball circus act was performed at West’s Ampitheatre in London by Zazel (Rosa Richter) who was billed as ‘the beautiful lady fired from a monstrous cannon’. The weapon was powered by elastic springs and gently pitched her into a large safety net every weekday for 2 years without mishap. Her salary for this was £120 per week. She died in 1937

1902 ..... U.S.A ..... the FIRST cinema - The Electric Theater - opened in Los Angeles, California. Admission was 10 cents

1929 ..... U.K ..... the FIRST Boat Race commentary was given

1941 ..... the FIRST aeroplane ejection seat was fitted to an experimental German Heinkel ..... and ..... U.K ..... Under Your Tin Hat was FIRST aired. This was a weekly wartime wireless magazine billed as "Entertainment by and for the men and women who are guarding the homes of Britain". Music was provided by the ARP Dance Band

1959 ..... U.K ..... the Grove Family, Britain’s FIRST television soap opera, was transmitted

1960..... U.S.A ..... America launched its FIRST weather satellite - Tiros 1 - into space. Its FIRST pictures were from a height of 450 miles and showed the clouds covering the North East USA and parts of Canada

1962 ..... U.K ..... the FIRST push-button controlled Panda crossings were introduced. The following month the government warned that if pedestrians didn’t use them they could be fined

1974 ..... U.S.A ..... Hollywood adman Robert Opel became the FIRST 'streaker' at the Academy Awards ceremony

1977 ..... U.K ..... Red Rum became the FIRST horse to win the Grand National three times ..... and .....Charlotte Brew became the FIRST woman jockey to ride in the Grand National. She came within 4 fences of finishing the 4 mile course on her horse, Barony Fort

1978 ….. U.S.A ..... the soap opera Dallas was FIRST seen on American television

1996 ….. U.K ..... Morag Kilpatrick became the FIRST woman to run a major hotel in Manchester when she took charge of the 164 room Holiday Inn Garden Court

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