1872: First International Football (Soccer) Match
The first official international football match was played on this day back in 1872, between the Scottish and English national teams. It took place in the town of Patrick...
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1939: The Inventor of Basketball – James Naismith
The inventor of basketball, Canadian James Naismith, died on this day. He developed basketball while teaching physical education at the YMCA Training School in Springfiel...
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1986: Mike Tyson Becomes the Youngest World Heavyweight Champion
Mike Tyson grew up in New York City, in high-crime neighborhoods. He got in trouble as a boy, so that he was arrested 38 times by the age of 13. He never finished high sc...
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1978: World Water Speed Record Set
The world speed record for watercraft was set on this day in 1978. It was achieved by the Australian speed boat Spirit of Australia, which was piloted by Ken Warby. The b...
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1875: Matthew Webb: First Recorded Person to Swim the English Channel
On this day in 1875, Matthew Webb (born at Dawley in Shropshire, England) began his “expedition”, and became known as the first person to swim the English Channel. It too...
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1980: Olympic Games Boycotted by around 50 States
The Moscow Olympic Games were ended on this day in 1980. These were the 22nd modern Olympic Games, and are notable for being boycotted by around 50 countries. The boycott...
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1930: The Inaugural World Cup
The first World Cup began on this day in 1930. It took place in the relatively small South American country of Uruguay because the Uruguayan national football team won th...
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1938: Howard Hughes Toured the World in a 91-hour Flight
On this day American multimillionaire Howard Hughes started a record-breaking flight around the world. In fact, he managed to make a trip around the world in just 91 hour...
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