The Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster
On January 28, 1986, the space shuttle Challenger broke apart during the launch of its 10th mission.
Technology
American Society of Civil Engineers
On November 5, 1852, the American Society of Civil Engineers was founded in New York City.
The Moscow-Washington Hotline
On August 30, 1963, the first message was sent on the Moscow-Washington hotline.
First International Polar Year
On August 1, 1882, the first International Polar Year (IPY) began.
U.S. Lands First Men On The Moon
On July 20, 1969, the US effectively won the Space Race when Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed the Eagle lunar module on the Moon’s surface.
Premiere of the First Ferris Wheel
On June 21, 1893, the Ferris wheel debuted at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago.
Launch of Pioneer 11
On April 5, 1973 (some sources cite April 6 UTC (Coordinated Universal Time), the Pioneer 11 space probe launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
Launch of Sputnik I
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.
Indianapolis 500
On May 30, 1911, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway held its first 200-lap, 500-mile race, dubbed the Indianapolis (or Indy) 500.