Edward Jenner, an English country doctor, gave the first vaccination against smallpox.
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Israel declared independence from the British administration.
Dan Brown released his fourth novel in the Da Vinci Code series, Inferno, which became an instant success.
The rockumentary film featuring The Who titled 'Kids Are All Right' premiered at the Cannes Film Festival.
The US Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) was formed.
The Talyllyn Railway in Wales became the first railway line in the world to be run solely by volunteers.
