American driller Edwin Laurentine Drake successfully drilled the first oil well in Pennsylvania, US.
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Mars made its closest approach to Earth in nearly 60,000 years.
In Java, Indonesia, the Krakatoa volcano erupted and destroyed 70% of the island and its surroundings.
Jacques Charles and the Robert brothers released the first-ever unmanned hydrogen balloon.
Jessi Combs broke the female fastest land speed record when her jet-powered vehicle reached a speed of 522.783 mph (841.338 kph).
The world's first jet-powered aircraft, the Heinkel He 178, completed its first flight.
