PLO leader Yasser Arafat formally recognized Israel’s right to exist, paving the way for the Oslo Accords and a new phase in Middle East peace efforts.
📍 Gaza, Palestine
Canada installed its first ATM, marking a significant advancement in banking technology and customer convenience.
📍 Toronto, Canada
Swaziland (now Eswatini) gained independence from British colonial rule, becoming one of the last African nations to achieve sovereignty.
📍 Mbabane, Swaziland
South Africa formally became a republic and withdrew from the British Commonwealth amid growing international opposition to its apartheid policies.
📍 Pretoria, South Africa
The British Army unveiled the first prototype of a military tank, changing the nature of ground warfare in the 20th century.
📍 Lincoln, United Kingdom
The First Battle of the Marne began, halting the German advance into France and marking a turning point early in World War I.
📍 Marne, France
German forces launched an invasion into South Africa from German South-West Africa during World War I, expanding the conflict into the African continent.
📍 South Africa
Fingerprints were used for the first time in a U.S. criminal conviction, revolutionizing forensic science and law enforcement.
📍 Chicago, Illinois, United States
The Geneva Convention was signed, establishing international legal standards for humanitarian treatment in war.
📍 Geneva, Switzerland
U.S. President William McKinley was shot by anarchist Leon Czolgosz during a public event in Buffalo, leading to his death eight days later.
📍 Buffalo, New York, United States
Hubert Cecil Booth patented the first powered vacuum cleaner, revolutionizing household cleaning technology.
📍 London, United Kingdom
The first women’s golf tournament was held in Scotland, marking a milestone in women’s participation in sports.
📍 St Andrews, Scotland
The first execution by electric chair was carried out in New York, introducing a new method of capital punishment.
📍 Auburn, New York, United States
Thomas Edison opened the first commercial electric power plant in New York City, marking the beginning of the electric age.
📍 New York City, United States
Barbed wire was first used in military defense, transforming battlefield fortifications and later becoming a symbol of modern warfare.
📍 France
The first international rugby match was played between Scotland and England, establishing rugby as a global sport.
📍 Edinburgh, Scotland
The first daily weather forecast was published in The Times of London, marking the beginning of modern meteorology for the public.
📍 London, United Kingdom
A massive fire destroyed most of Detroit, Michigan, prompting a complete rebuilding of the city.
📍 Detroit, Michigan, United States
The Mayflower set sail from England carrying Pilgrims seeking religious freedom, leading to the founding of Plymouth Colony in North America.
📍 Plymouth, England
Adrian VI was elected pope, becoming the first and only Dutch pope in history and the last non-Italian pope until John Paul II.
📍 Rome, Papal States