1700day.year
William Dampier is the first European to circumnavigate New Britain, discovering it is an island (which he names Nova Britannia) rather than part of New Guinea.
In 1700, William Dampier became the first European to circumnavigate New Britain and proved it an island.
In 1700, English explorer William Dampier became the first European to circumnavigate New Britain.
He demonstrated that the landmass was an island, naming it Nova Britannia on his charts.
Dampier's voyages contributed to maritime knowledge and influenced later expeditions, including those of Cook.
His detailed observations of flora, fauna, and indigenous peoples enriched European science.
Dampier's writings inspired a generation of explorers and naturalists.
1700
William Dampier
New Britain
New Guinea
1954day.year
Nuclear weapons testing: The Romeo shot of Operation Castle is detonated at Bikini Atoll. Yield: 11 megatons.
The United States conducted the Romeo shot of Operation Castle, detonating an 11-megaton hydrogen bomb at Bikini Atoll on March 26, 1954.
On March 26, 1954, the United States detonated the Romeo shot, part of Operation Castle, at Bikini Atoll in the Pacific.
The thermonuclear device yielded approximately 11 megatons, demonstrating a significant increase in bomb power.
Castle Romeo was one of several high-yield tests aimed at advancing hydrogen bomb technology during the Cold War.
The massive explosion created a towering mushroom cloud visible for miles and widespread radioactive fallout.
Environmental and health concerns later emerged as residents and military personnel were exposed to radiation.
Operation Castle shaped public perception of nuclear weapons and spurred debates on arms control and safety.
1954
Nuclear weapons testing
Romeo shot
Operation Castle
Bikini Atoll
1958day.year
The United States Army launches Explorer 3.
Explorer 3, the third satellite in the US Army's Explorer program, was launched by the United States Army on March 26, 1958.
On March 26, 1958, Explorer 3 was launched from Cape Canaveral by the United States Army using a Juno I rocket.
The satellite carried instruments to measure cosmic rays and study Earth's radiation belts.
Explorer 3 briefly transmitted valuable data before its battery expired after 52 hours of operation.
It confirmed the existence of the Van Allen radiation belts, first detected by its predecessor, Explorer 1.
The mission contributed to the early era of space exploration during the Cold War space race.
Data from Explorer 3 enhanced scientific understanding of the near-Earth space environment.
1958
Explorer 3