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The Nuremberg Trials after World War II were the first international war crimes tribunal. They were significant in establishing a precedent for international law regarding war crimes, including principles of liability and the laws governing the conduct of war.

The Judiciary Act of 1789 was the first act of Congress to establish the federal judiciary. It is significant because it laid the groundwork for the American legal system, setting up the Supreme Court and other federal courts and outlining their jurisdictions.

Sandra Day O'Connor was the first female Justice appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court in 1981 by President Ronald Reagan. Her appointment is significant for breaking the gender barrier in the highest court and for her influential swing vote in many important cases.

The first known case of extradition is recorded in the Amarna letters, dating back to 14th century BCE Egyptian correspondence with neighboring states. The letters illustrate early diplomatic negotiations related to fugitives, marking the beginnings of extradition principles.

The Geneva Convention of 1864 was the first international treaty aiming to humanize the conditions of warfare. It is significant because it formed the basis for international humanitarian law, protecting the sick and wounded during conflict.

The first recorded legal defense dates back to Ancient Greece with the speeches of orators like Lysias. This practice is significant as it shows the early development of adversarial legal systems and the importance of rhetoric and persuasion in the courtroom.

Arabella Mansfield was the first female attorney in the United States, admitted to the Iowa bar in 1869. Her admission was significant because it challenged and changed the common law precedent that prohibited women from becoming lawyers.

Haiti was the first country to abolish slavery following the Haitian Revolution in 1804. This was significant as it was a successful slave-led rebellion resulting in the establishment of the first black republic, inspiring anti-slavery movements worldwide.

The Code of Ur-Nammu, from around 2100-2050 BCE in ancient Mesopotamia, is one of the earliest known law codes surviving today. It is significant as it marks the beginning of recorded legal history and exhibits the early efforts to establish a social order through codified legal principles.

The United States was the first country to establish a comprehensive national environmental protection law with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) in 1969. This act was significant as it required environmental impact statements for major federal actions, pioneering environmental legislation globally.

The Harrison Narcotics Tax Act of 1914 was the first comprehensive drug abuse law in the United States. It regulated and taxed the production, importation, and distribution of opiates and coca products; a significant step toward the modern regulation of controlled substances.

The first use of DNA evidence in a court case occurred in 1986 in England. DNA profiling was used to convict Colin Pitchfork in the murder of two girls in Leicestershire, marking a pivotal moment in forensic science and its application in legal proceedings.

The first known lawyer in history might be Ur-Nammu, who was also the author of the first legal code. However, direct evidence for specific legal practitioners is obscure and more typically associated with ancient Greek and Roman eras. Representation in court and legal specialization became prominent in these societies.

The first recorded patent law was issued in the Republic of Venice in 1474. The Venetian Patent Statute established the principles of granting and enforcing patents, which is significant as the precursor to modern intellectual property law.

Charlotte E. Ray was the first woman to pass the bar exam in the United States in 1872, and subsequently became the first female African American lawyer. Her success is significant as an early step toward gender and racial equality in the legal profession.

The earliest recorded legal decision is the case of the Sumerian king Ur-Nammu, who ruled in ancient Mesopotamia around the year 2050 BCE. The case involved the payment of silver for the loss of human life, laying the basis for compensation and liability in law.

The earliest known constitution can be attributed to the city-state of Athens in the 5th Century BCE with the reforms of Cleisthenes. Significant for developing principles of governance that distributed power among citizens and is considered a precursor to modern democratic constitutions.

The Babylonian 'Law of Succession' from Hammurabi's Code, around 1754 BCE, represents some of the first known laws governing inheritance. These laws are significant because they regulated the transfer of property, ensuring the protection of familial wealth and the economic structure of society.

One Inc. v. Olesen (1958) was the first U.S. Supreme Court case in which LGBT rights were successfully defended. The ruling was significant because it condemned censorship and marked a precedent for the protection of LGBTQ publications under the First Amendment.

The Roman Law, particularly during the time of the Roman Republic and Empire (509 BCE - 476 AD), is credited with developing the concept of all citizens being equal before the law. This is significant as a foundational principle of justice that many current legal systems strive to uphold.

Thurgood Marshall was the first African American appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court in 1967. His appointment was significant for its historic representation and his involvement in the advancement of civil rights, including the landmark case Brown v. Board of Education.

Chisholm v. Georgia (1793) was the first case of significance before the U.S. Supreme Court. It was significant because it dealt with states' rights and set the precedent that states could be sued by citizens from other states, leading to the 11th Amendment limiting the jurisdiction of federal courts.

The Geneva Declaration of the Rights of the Child in 1924 was the first international recognition of children's rights. It is significant as it set principles for the protection of children, leading to the later UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989.

The practice of giving testimony under oath has ancient origins, including in Ancient Greece and Hebrew law. These oaths were significant in creating a legal framework that values and enforces truthful witness accounts in legal proceedings.

The first legal professionals emerged in ancient Rome, where they were known as 'advocates'. They would represent clients in legal matters, and their role was significant in shaping the legal processes and the profession that would become modern advocacy and legal representation.

The Code of Hammurabi included regulations on trade and commerce, making it one of the first sets of codified commercial laws. Significant for its comprehensive treatment of commercial activities, including contracts, liability, and trade practices.

The first recorded trial by jury occurred in the 6th century BCE in Ancient Greece, specifically under the Athenian democracy. Its significance lies in laying the foundation for the modern jury system, which is a cornerstone of democratic legal processes.

King Hammurabi of Babylon is credited with authoring one of the earliest and most complete ancient legal codes, Hammurabi's Code, around 1754 BCE. The code's significance lies in its comprehensive approach to law and justice, influencing future legal systems.