1785 ..... U.K ..... Letitia Ann Sage became the FIRST woman to be carried aloft in a balloon in Britain when taken up in Lunardi's hydrogen balloon from St George's Fields, London 

1801..... U.K ..... the FIRST census in Britain showed a population of 8,872,000

1855 ..... U.K ..... the Daily Telegraph was published in London for the FIRST time. Price was 2d

1888 ..... U.K ..... the FIRST appendectomy in Great Britain was performed by the English surgeon, Prof. Frederick Treves

1893 ..... U.K ..... the Duke of Westminster took the FIRST sip from one of the public drinking fountains around the base of the monument of Eros in London.  The statue was 9' high and was the FIRST important public statue to be cast in aluminium

1910 ..... U.S.A ..... the FIRST mass produced chocolate bars in North America began being produced at Arthur Ganong’s factory in New Brunswick, New Jersey

1927..... U.K ..... for the FIRST time in 200 years, a total eclipse of the sun was seen in Britain. Although many watchers were disappointed, many at Giggleswick in Yorkshire were able to see the full eclipse which lasted for less than 1/2 minute and there was a good view of the glowing corona around the sun when it was obscured by the moon ..... and ..... the FIRST radio commentary on Wimbledon was heard

1947 ..... U.S.A ..... Harry S Truman, 33rd President of the U.S.A delivered the FIRST address by a president to the NAACP ( National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People) when he spoke from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and called for immediate civil rights for all citizens

1966 ..... U.K ..... Barclaycard, the FIRST British credit card, was introduced by Barclays Bank

1980 ….. ICELAND ..... Vigdis Finnbogadottir became the FIRST democratically elected woman Head of State in the world  when she was elected President of Iceland.  She took office on August 1st

1995 ..... U.K .....  Lisa Clayton became the FIRST woman to sail solo around the world from the Northern hemisphere. She arrived in Dartmouth after a 30,000 mile 9 month voyage

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