Social Security. First in Germany: 1883-89. UK 1911; Canada 1927; US 1935-66. Poor Laws. National Insurance.

Solomon. King of Israel c973-933BC. First Temple at Jerusalem. Biblical writings. Known for wisdom.

Somme, Battle of the. WWI. 1916. Allied victory with 1M casualties, minor gain. First use of tank. 1918. German victory.

Song-tsen Gam-po. 7C. First known king of Tibet.

Sorel, Agnès. 1422-50. First “officially recognized” mistress of French king.

Sousa, Martin de. 1500-64. First Portuguese colony in Brazil 1532.

Spaak, Paul. 1899-1972. Belgian Prime Minister. First President of UN General assembly. EEC, Benelux, NATO.

Speusippus. -339BC. Led Athens Academy after Plato. First Encyclopedia.

Sputnik. 1957. Russia launches first artificial satellite.

Ssu-ma Ch’ien. 145-85BC. First great Chinese historian.

St Albans. 1455. First battle of War of Roses. Henry VI captured by Yorks.

St-Gervais-St-Protais. 1616-21. Church by Métezeau. First classical style building in Paris.

Stählberg, Kaarlo. 1865-1952. First President of independent Finland 1919-25. Constitution.

Stair, First earl. 1648-1707. Scottish under-secretary of state to William III. Approved Glencoe Massacre.

Stanton, Elizabeth Cady. 1815-1902. US suffrage leader. First woman’s rights convention 1848. Mott.

States General. French Representative Assembly. 1302 First summoned by Philip IV. 14-15C Controlled taxes; failed to control government. 1789 last summoned by Louis XVI. 1=Clergy. 2=Nobility. 3=Bourgeoisie.

Stephen, St. -31. First Christian martyr.

Stephen, St. 969-1038. First king of Hungary 1000-. Converted to Christianity.

Stephen II. Pope 752-57. First to rule Papal states.

Steptoe, Patrick. 1913-88. British doctor. First test-tube baby 1978.

Stevens, John. 1749-1838. Key to US patent laws 1790. First American locomotive 1825.

Stopes, Marie. 1880-1958. British Family Planning pioneer. First London birth control clinic 1921.

Strafford, First earl. 1593-1641. English adviser to Charles I. Executed by Parliament.

Strathcona and Mount Royal, First Baron. 1820-1914. Canadian statesman key to Canadian Pacific Railway; drove last spike.

Sucre, Antonio de. 1795-1830. Revolutionary with Bolivar. First Bolivian president 1826-8.

227 more results ...