NASA launched its Active Magnetospheric Particle Tracer Explorers mission (AMPTE) from the Cape Canaveral launch pad.
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Queen Victoria of Britain sent the first-ever transatlantic telegraph to US President James Buchanan.
Edwin Prescott was awarded a patent for the vertical loop Roller Coaster.
Michael Phelps won the 100-meter butterfly swim in a record 50:58 at the Beijing Olympic finals.
Georgian heavyweight-lifting champion Lasha Talakhadze smashed a world record by lifting an incredible 473 kg.
The Junkers Ju 287, the first jet with forward-swept wings, made its first flight.
