Illustrator Edwin Austin Abbey was born on April 1, 1852, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is considered America’s first great illustrator. Abbey produced hundreds of illustrations for Harper’s magazines and popular books of the day.
On March 28, 1910, Henri Fabre made the first successful powered seaplane flight. Traveling over 1,900 feet and wowing a crowd of spectators, he inaugurated the seaplane and flying boat industry that would flourish for the next several decades.
On March 12, 1930, Gandhi started his 240-mile Salt March as a nonviolent protest against British rule in India. Gandhi’s march helped inspire widespread civil disobedience in India, bringing international attention to their cause.
On February 2, 1971, the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat, also known as the Convention on Wetlands, was signed in Ramsar, Iran.
On June 16, 1963, Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman in space.
On August 7, 1927, the Peace Bridge linking the US and Canada was dedicated by representatives from both nations and the United Kingdom.
On August 5, 1963, the US, the UK, and the Soviet Union signed the Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.
On January 22, 1901, the longest-reigning British monarch up to that time, Queen Victoria, died. In all, Victoria reigned for 63 years, seven months, and two days.
On October 4, 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik I, the first man-made object in space, which sparked the start of the Space Race with the United States.