1842 ..... U.K ..... Queen Victoria became the FIRST reigning monarch to travel by train. Accompanied by Prince Albert she made the 25 minute journey from Windsor to Paddington and was reported to be quite charmed by the experience. Prince Albert was quoted as saying “ Not quite so fast next time, Mr Conductor please”.  Isambard Kingdom Brunel was on the footplate, assisting the engine driver

1849 ..... U.K ..... Salford Borough Council founded the FIRST unconditional free municipal library in the United Kingdom and was the FIRST town to levy a rate for library purposes

1912 ..... AUSTRIA ..... Frau Vikkunetiska was elected the FIRST woman M P in Austria but Prince Thun of Bohemia refused to sanction her election

1920 ..... SWITZERLAND ..... the FIRST International Feminist Conference opened

1956 ..... FRANCE ..... Real Madrid won the FIRST European Cup, beating Stade de Reims 4-3 in Paris

1967 ..... U.S.A ..... Thurgood Marshall became the FIRST black member of the US Supreme Court, Washington

1974 ….. U.K ..... Prince Charles made the FIRST Royal speech in 90 years to the Lords

1983 ..... SPACE ..... the U.S. space-probe Pioneer 10 became the FIRST human-created object to leave the solar system. It was launched in 1972

Back to top of page ** Next page ** Previous page