On This Day in History

September 25

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1981
Politics

Sandra Day O'Connor Sworn in as First Female U.S. Supreme Court Justice

Sandra Day O'Connor was sworn in as the first female justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, marking a historic moment for gender equality.

📍 Washington D.C., United States

Politics Law United States
1960
Politics

First Televised Presidential Debate Held in U.S.

John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon participated in the first-ever televised U.S. presidential debate, transforming political campaigning.

📍 Chicago, Illinois, United States

Politics Media United States
1954
Science

First Modern Solar Cell Demonstrated

Bell Labs demonstrated the first practical silicon solar cell, marking a breakthrough in renewable energy.

📍 New Jersey, United States

Science Energy United States
1947
Invention

First Use of the Term 'Computer Bug'

Engineers discovered a moth causing a malfunction in the Harvard Mark II, coining the term 'computer bug.'

📍 Harvard University, United States

Invention Computing United States
1942
Science

First Use of Penicillin Successfully Treated a Patient

Penicillin was successfully used to treat a patient, marking the beginning of the antibiotic era in medicine.

📍 Oxford, United Kingdom

Science Medicine United Kingdom
1939
War

First Use of Air Raid Sirens in World War II

Air raid sirens were used for the first time in London during World War II, signaling incoming attacks.

📍 London, United Kingdom

War WWII United Kingdom
1920
Invention

First Commercial Radio Station Licensed

The U.S. government issued the first commercial radio license to station KDKA, launching modern broadcasting.

📍 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

Invention Media United States
1917
Politics

Central Committee of the Communist Party Forms in Russia

The Bolsheviks formed the Central Committee, paving the way for the October Revolution and the establishment of Soviet Russia.

📍 Petrograd, Russia

Politics Communism Russia
1893
Invention

First Powered Flight in Germany by Otto Lilienthal

Otto Lilienthal achieved the first successful controlled glider flight in Germany, pioneering human aviation.

📍 Berlin, Germany

Invention Aviation Germany
1878
Culture

First Motion Picture Filmed in America

Eadweard Muybridge filmed *The Horse in Motion*, creating the first motion picture in the United States.

📍 Palo Alto, California, United States

Culture Film United States
1875
Science

First Use of Weather Map in Newspaper

The first weather map was published in *The Times* of London, introducing visual weather forecasting to the public.

📍 London, United Kingdom

Science Meteorology United Kingdom
1868
Invention

First Practical Typewriter Patented

Christopher Latham Sholes patented the first practical typewriter, transforming business and communication.

📍 Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States

Invention Technology United States
1858
Invention

First Transatlantic Telegraph Cable Completed

The first successful transatlantic telegraph cable was completed, revolutionizing communication between Europe and America.

📍 Valentia Island, Ireland

Invention Communication Global
1818
Invention

First Patent for Bicycle Granted

Baron Karl von Drais received a patent for his velocipede, an early form of the bicycle.

📍 Mannheim, Germany

Invention Transport Germany
1789
Politics

Bill of Rights Passed by U.S. Congress

The United States Congress passed the Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments to the Constitution, guaranteeing fundamental freedoms.

📍 Washington D.C., United States

Politics Law United States
1788
Culture

Mozart Completes Symphony No. 41 'Jupiter'

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart completed his Symphony No. 41, known as 'Jupiter', regarded as one of his greatest works.

📍 Vienna, Austria

Culture Music Austria
1698
Invention

First Patent Granted for the Steam Engine

Thomas Savery received the first patent for a steam-powered device, laying groundwork for the Industrial Revolution.

📍 London, United Kingdom

Invention Industrial Revolution United Kingdom
1690
Culture

First Newspaper Published in the American Colonies

*Publick Occurrences Both Forreign and Domestick* was published in Boston, marking the birth of journalism in America.

📍 Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Culture Media United States
1535
Culture

First Complete Translation of the Bible into English Published

The first complete English translation of the Bible by Miles Coverdale was published, making religious texts accessible to English speakers.

📍 London, United Kingdom

Culture Religion United Kingdom
1066
War

Battle of Stamford Bridge Ends Viking Age in England

The Battle of Stamford Bridge saw King Harold II defeat the Viking army, marking the decline of Viking influence in England.

📍 Stamford Bridge, England

War Vikings England