1484day.year
Portuguese sea captain Diogo Cão finds the mouth of the Congo River.
In 1484, Portuguese navigator Diogo Cão discovered the mouth of the Congo River during his exploration of Africa's west coast.
As part of Portugal’s maritime explorations, Diogo Cão sailed along the African coast seeking new trade routes to the east. On July 6, 1484, he reached and mapped the mouth of the great Congo River. His charts opened the way for later expeditions into the African interior and established contact with powerful local kingdoms. The discovery was significant for European geographic knowledge and the expansion of the Atlantic trade network. Cão's voyage demonstrated advances in navigational techniques and ship design. The finding of the Congo River was a major milestone in the Age of Discovery, reshaping European engagement with Africa.
1484
Diogo Cão
Congo River
1536day.year
The explorer Jacques Cartier lands at St. Malo at the end of his second expedition to North America. He returns with none of the gold he expected to find.
French explorer Jacques Cartier lands at St. Malo in 1536, concluding his second North American voyage empty-handed with none of the gold he sought.
On July 6, 1536, French explorer Jacques Cartier landed at Saint-Malo, concluding his second expedition to North America. His voyage aimed to find a western route to Asia and valuable metals, but he returned without any of the gold he sought. Although disappointed by the lack of precious metals, Cartier brought back detailed charts of the Gulf of St. Lawrence and descriptions of the Indigenous peoples he encountered. His reports fueled further French interest in the region and laid the foundation for future colonization efforts in Canada. This expedition contributed significantly to European knowledge of North America's geography and helped establish France's claims in the New World.
1536
Jacques Cartier
1885day.year
Louis Pasteur successfully tests his vaccine against rabies on Joseph Meister, a boy who was bitten by a rabid dog.
On July 6, 1885, Louis Pasteur performed the first successful human trial of his rabies vaccine on a boy named Joseph Meister, inaugurating modern immunology.
Louis Pasteur’s groundbreaking work in microbiology culminated on July 6, 1885, when a nine-year-old boy, Joseph Meister, arrived at his laboratory suffering from a rabies-inflicted dog bite. Pasteur, alongside his colleagues, administered a carefully attenuated series of rabies vaccines over several days. Meister showed no signs of infection, proving the vaccine’s efficacy. This success marked the first time a laboratory-developed vaccine was used on a human patient. It validated Pasteur’s germ theory and ushered in the age of preventive medicine. Public acceptance of vaccination grew rapidly following this triumph. Pasteur’s methods paved the way for subsequent vaccines against diphtheria, anthrax, and other diseases. The 1885 rabies vaccine remains a cornerstone in the history of medical science.
1885
Louis Pasteur
vaccine
rabies
Joseph Meister
1919day.year
The British dirigible R34 lands in New York, completing the first crossing of the Atlantic Ocean by an airship.
In 1919, the British airship R34 completed the first transatlantic crossing by dirigible when it landed in New York City.
This landmark flight opened new possibilities for air travel.
In July 1919, the R34 departed from East Fortune, Scotland, on its historic transatlantic journey.
After over 108 hours aloft, the dirigible reached Mineola airfield near New York City.
It became the first aircraft of any kind to cross the ocean east to west.
Pilots and crew experienced powerful headwinds and challenging weather conditions en route.
The flight demonstrated the potential of lighter-than-air craft for long-distance travel.
Upon landing, crowds greeted the R34 as a symbol of aviation progress.
This achievement paved the way for future transoceanic airship services.
1919
dirigible R34
1947day.year
The AK-47 goes into production in the Soviet Union.
The AK-47 assault rifle enters series production in the Soviet Union, becoming a standard infantry weapon.
On July 6, 1947, the Soviet Union begins full-scale production of the AK-47 rifle at the Izhmash factory.
Designed by Mikhail Kalashnikov, the AK-47 was selected for its reliability and ease of manufacture.
It features a gas-operated mechanism and detachable magazine, revolutionizing infantry armaments.
The rifle’s durability in harsh conditions and low production cost contributed to its widespread adoption.
By the late 20th century, it became the most produced firearm in history, used in conflicts worldwide.
Its iconic design influenced countless subsequent assault rifles and remains in use today.
AK-47
Soviet Union
1962day.year
As a part of Operation Plowshare, the Sedan nuclear test takes place.
The United States conducts the Sedan nuclear test in Nevada as part of Operation Plowshare, exploring peaceful uses of atomic explosions.
On July 6, 1962, the U.S. carries out the Sedan test at the Nevada Test Site under Operation Plowshare.
The 104-kiloton underground detonation was intended to evaluate nuclear excavation for civil engineering projects.
It produced a crater over 300 feet deep and 1,280 feet in diameter, one of the largest in U.S. testing history.
Researchers studied soil displacement, seismic effects, and radioactive fallout from the explosion.
Although it demonstrated the potential for rapid earthmoving, environmental and health concerns halted the program.
The Sedan test remains a landmark in the debate over peaceful nuclear technology.
1962
Operation Plowshare
Sedan nuclear test
2003day.year
The 70-metre Yevpatoria Planetary Radar sends a METI message (Cosmic Call 2) to five stars: Hip 4872, HD 245409, 55 Cancri (HD 75732), HD 10307 and 47 Ursae Majoris (HD 95128). The messages will arrive to these stars in 2036, 2040, 2044, and 2049, respectively.
The Yevpatoria Planetary Radar broadcasts the METI message 'Cosmic Call 2' to five nearby star systems, continuing humanity’s search for extraterrestrial intelligence.
On July 6, 2003, the Yevpatoria Planetary Radar in Crimea transmitted the 'Cosmic Call 2' METI message toward five target stars: Hip 4872, HD 245409, 55 Cancri, HD 10307, and 47 Ursae Majoris.
The digital message included scientific data, images, and greetings intended to introduce Earth’s civilization.
Traveling at light speed, the messages will reach their destinations between 2036 and 2049, depending on distance.
This ambitious project aimed to initiate active communication with potential extraterrestrial civilizations.
The endeavor sparked public interest in SETI and debates over the risks of messaging unknown cosmic neighbors.
2003
Yevpatoria
METI
Cosmic Call 2
Hip 4872
HD 245409
55 Cancri
HD 10307
47 Ursae Majoris