On This Day in History

September 19

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1982
Culture

First Public Appearance of the Smile Emoji

Professor Scott Fahlman suggested using :-) in online messages, introducing the concept of the emoticon.

📍 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

Culture Technology Communication
1973
Politics

Chile Military Coup Led by Pinochet

General Augusto Pinochet formally assumed power after leading a coup that overthrew Chilean President Salvador Allende.

📍 Santiago, Chile

Politics Coup Chile
1969
Invention

First Flight of the Boeing 747 Jumbo Jet Prototype

The Boeing 747, known as the 'Jumbo Jet', made its first flight, revolutionizing commercial air travel.

📍 Everett, Washington, United States

Invention Aviation United States
1959
Culture

Second Vatican Council Announced

Pope John XXIII announced the Second Vatican Council, initiating major reforms in the Catholic Church.

📍 Vatican City

Culture Religion Catholic Church
1949
Science

First Atom Bomb Tested by the Soviet Union

The Soviet Union conducted its first successful test of an atomic bomb, marking the start of the nuclear arms race.

📍 Semipalatinsk, Kazakhstan

Science Nuclear Soviet Union
1947
Science

First Use of the Term 'Computer Bug'

Engineers recorded the first literal 'computer bug' when a moth was found in the Harvard Mark II computer.

📍 Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States

Science Computing United States
1946
Culture

First Cannes Film Festival Opens

The first Cannes Film Festival opened, becoming one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world.

📍 Cannes, France

Culture Film France
1940
Invention

First FM Radio Station Licensed

The FCC licensed the first FM radio station, introducing higher-quality audio broadcasting.

📍 New Jersey, United States

Invention Media United States
1893
Politics

New Zealand Becomes the First Country to Grant Women the Right to Vote

New Zealand became the first country in the world to grant women the right to vote, marking a milestone in global women's suffrage.

📍 Wellington, New Zealand

Politics Women's Rights New Zealand
1892
Invention

First Patent for Escalator Granted

Jesse W. Reno received the first patent for the escalator, transforming vertical transportation in public spaces.

📍 New York City, United States

Invention Technology United States
1868
Invention

First Successful Typewriter Patented

Christopher Latham Sholes patented the first practical typewriter, revolutionizing written communication.

📍 Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States

Invention Communication United States
1854
Invention

First Commercial Railroad Opens in Australia

Australia's first commercial railway began operation, connecting Melbourne and Port Melbourne.

📍 Melbourne, Australia

Invention Transport Australia
1837
Invention

First Use of Morse Code in Telegraphy

Samuel Morse demonstrated the use of Morse code, revolutionizing long-distance communication.

📍 New York, United States

Invention Communication United States
1827
Invention

First U.S. Railroad Chartered

The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, the first U.S. railroad for commercial transport, was chartered, initiating the railway era.

📍 Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Invention Transport United States
1816
Invention

First Powered Printing Press Installed in the U.S.

The first steam-powered printing press in the United States was installed, greatly increasing the speed of mass communication.

📍 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Invention Printing United States
1789
Politics

U.S. Federal Judiciary Established

The United States Congress passed the Judiciary Act, establishing the federal court system, including the Supreme Court.

📍 Washington D.C., United States

Politics Law United States
1653
Culture

First Public Library in Europe Opens

The first public library in Europe opened in Oxford, promoting access to knowledge for all citizens.

📍 Oxford, United Kingdom

Culture Education United Kingdom
1599
Culture

First Globe Theatre Opens in London

The Globe Theatre, associated with William Shakespeare, opened in London, becoming a landmark of English Renaissance drama.

📍 London, United Kingdom

Culture Theatre Shakespeare
1565
Tragedy

First Recorded Hurricane in North America

The first recorded hurricane in North America struck a Spanish fleet near Florida, influencing colonial expansion.

📍 Florida, United States

Tragedy Natural Disaster Colonial History
663
Exploration

First Documented Ascent of Mount Fuji

The first recorded ascent of Mount Fuji was made by an anonymous monk, marking the beginning of its cultural significance.

📍 Mount Fuji, Japan

Exploration Culture Japan