History often celebrates beginnings—firsts in science, politics, sports, and culture. But endings are just as important. In fact, many historical moments are marked by a “last” event that quietly closes a chapter in human progress, tradition, or belief. Unlike “firsts,” which tend to be well-documented, “lasts” are often less clear or easy to define. Still, some are definitive and carry powerful stories.
Here are some remarkable and surprising “lasts” in history—events, people, and milestones that signaled the end of eras, traditions, and norms.
The Last Known Smallpox Death
Smallpox was one of the deadliest diseases in human history. The last known person to die from it was Janet Parker, a British medical photographer. She was accidentally exposed to the virus at a laboratory in Birmingham in 1978. Parker died on September 11, 1978.
The incident shook the medical community. The microbiologist responsible for the lab accident took his own life. Two years later, on May 8, 1980, the World Health Organization officially declared smallpox eradicated—a first for any infectious disease.
The Last American Killed in the Vietnam War
The Vietnam War formally ended in April 1975 with the fall of Saigon. However, the last American combat casualty was Marine Kelton Rena Turner, who died on May 15, 1975 during the Mayaguez Incident. The battle was a rescue mission involving the seizure of the SS Mayaguez by the Khmer Rouge. Turner’s body was never recovered.
The Last Emperor of China
Puyi, also known as Henry Pu Yi, became emperor of China at just two years old in 1908. He ruled until 1912, marking the end of the Qing dynasty, the last imperial dynasty of China.
His life, filled with political upheaval, exile, and eventual re-education under Communist rule, was later depicted in the Oscar-winning film The Last Emperor (1987).
Babe Ruth’s True Last Home Run
Babe Ruth hit his 714th official Major League Baseball home run on May 23, 1935, at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh. But there’s one more.
In 1946, Ruth appeared for a Mexican baseball team, the Veracruz Blues, for a special exhibition game. During that match, the 51-year-old slugger hit a powerful home run, bringing his actual career total to 715. Though unofficial, fans count it as his true final homer.
The Last Czar of Russia
Nicholas II, the last czar of Russia and final ruler of the Romanov dynasty, was deposed in 1917 during the Russian Revolution. A year later, he and his family were executed by the Bolsheviks in Yekaterinburg. Their tragic end marked the fall of Russia’s centuries-old monarchy.
The Last King of France
Louis XVI became the last king of France when the monarchy was overthrown during the French Revolution. He and his wife, Marie Antoinette, were imprisoned in 1792. The monarchy was formally abolished in September that year. In January 1793, Louis was executed by guillotine. Revolutionaries mockingly nicknamed him “Louis the Last.”
The Last Soviet Leader
The Soviet Union, once a global superpower, officially dissolved in 1991. Its final leader was Mikhail Gorbachev, who also became the first and only President of the Soviet Union. His policies of glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring) contributed to the country’s collapse, ending the Cold War era.
The Last Married Pope
Pope Adrian II, who served from 867 to 872, was the last Catholic pope known to have been married. He was already wed before taking holy orders and never abandoned his wife. Later popes were celibate, and clerical celibacy eventually became mandatory in the Western Church.
The Last Guillotine Execution
Though associated with the French Revolution, the guillotine remained in use for centuries. The last execution by guillotine took place on September 10, 1977, in France. Hamida Djandoubi, convicted of murder, was the final person to be executed by this method. France abolished the death penalty in 1981.
The Last Widow of a Civil War Veteran
Helen Viola Jackson married Civil War veteran James Bolin in 1936 when she was 17 and he was 93. It was a marriage of companionship. She never claimed his pension and kept the marriage secret for decades. Jackson passed away in December 2020 at the age of 101, becoming the last known widow of a Civil War veteran.
The Last Telegram
Telegrams once ruled long-distance communication. In the U.S., Western Union sent its final telegram on January 27, 2006. However, the world’s last telegram was sent by India’s Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) on July 14, 2013, officially ending the telegram era worldwide.
The Last Major Hollywood Movie Released on VHS
As DVDs took over in the 2000s, VHS tapes became obsolete. The final major Hollywood film released on VHS was A History of Violence by David Cronenberg. It hit stores in 2006, marking the end of the VHS era for mainstream film releases.
The Last Concorde Flight
The Concorde, a supersonic passenger jet, flew at 1,350 mph, allowing passengers to travel from London to New York in under four hours. Due to high costs and a tragic crash in 2000, the aircraft was retired. Its final flight took place in October 2003, closing a remarkable chapter in aviation history.
The Last Prisoners at the Tower of London
The Tower of London served as a prison for centuries. Famous inmates included Anne Boleyn, Guy Fawkes, and Elizabeth I. Its last prisoners were the notorious British gangsters Ronnie and Reggie Kray, who were held there briefly in the 1950s.
The Last Days of Alcatraz
Alcatraz, the high-security prison on an island in San Francisco Bay, closed in 1963. It housed dangerous criminals like Al Capone. The last inmate, Frank Weatherman, arrived in 1962 and left a year later. Alcatraz is now a popular tourist site.
The Last Native Speakers of Celtic Languages
Two Celtic languages, Cornish and Manx, became extinct in the modern era.
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The last native Cornish speaker, Dolly Pentreath, died in 1777.
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The final native Manx speaker, Edward “Ned” Maddrell, died in 1974.
Efforts to revive both languages have since gained momentum, especially among cultural and linguistic preservation groups.
The Last Televised Cigarette Ad in the U.S.
Cigarettes were once heavily advertised on TV. That changed when regulations increased. On January 1, 1971, the last televised cigarette commercial aired during The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson at 11:50 p.m. The ban took effect at midnight.
The Last Image From the Spirit Mars Rover
NASA’s Spirit Rover explored Mars far longer than expected. After getting stuck in soft soil in 2009, the rover finally lost contact. Its last image, a panoramic view of the Columbia Hills, was transmitted on March 22, 2010. Spirit’s mission gave scientists vital data about Mars’ geology and conditions.
The Last Dodo
The dodo, a flightless bird native to Mauritius, was hunted to extinction by humans and invasive animals. The last confirmed sighting was in 1681. The bird’s extinction gave rise to the phrase “dead as a dodo.”
The Last All-Gold Olympic Medals
Gold medals used to be made entirely of gold. The 1912 Stockholm Olympics were the last to feature pure gold medals. Today’s gold medals are mostly silver, coated with a thin layer of gold.
The Last California Grizzly Bear
Though it appears on California’s state flag, the California grizzly bear is extinct. The last confirmed sighting occurred in 1924 in the Sierra Nevada. The bear lives on as a symbol, but not in the wild.
The Last U.S. Playboy Club
The original Playboy Clubs were iconic in the 1960s and 1970s. The last original U.S. location, in Lansing, Michigan, closed in 1988. A short-lived revival opened in Las Vegas in 2006, but it closed in 2012, marking the true end of the era.
Final Thoughts
Firsts may inspire, but lasts reveal turning points. They show us how people, practices, and institutions come to a close. Whether it’s the last dodo or the final guillotine execution, these moments remind us that all eras—no matter how powerful—eventually end.
Want to see more obscure or unexpected “lasts” in history? Let me know, and I’ll help you explore them.