31.   The succesful experiment in July marked the first ever such outer space maneuver carried out via remote control from Earth.

32.   The report said the loan marks the first of several future loans Dongfang expects to receive from the World Bank.

33.   The upturn marked the first for technology shares in four sessions.

34.   This marked the first Friday of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, when the number of worshippers swells.

35.   Titov marked several firsts, however.

36.   Wearing a white turban and a black robes, he led the prayers that mark the first Friday of the Islamic New Year.

37.   His visit marked the first by a US secretary of state to Angola.

38.   The visit marks the first to the state of California by the couple who have been at the center of a string of highly publicised controversies at home.

39.   Ironically, that year also marked the first of seven baseball work stoppages due to labor disagreements.

40.   Milosevic also marked a first for him at the trial he once threatened to shun, reading aloud from a pre-trial statement prepared by the witness.