Since his success in Beijing, the 24 year-old has been clocking up milestones, becoming the first Paralympian to compete at the European Championships.

BBC: London 2012 NI olympians dreaming of gold

Not only does Florida have three schools in the round of 16 for the first time, each program reached milestones in this NCAA tournament.

NPR: Sunshine State Teams Gleaming In NCAA Spotlight

The Italian carmaker, which took control of Chrysler when it exited bankruptcy, recently bumped its stake in Chrysler to 25% by achieving the first of three government-required milestones: manufacturing a fuel-efficient engine in the United States.

FORBES: Chrysler Loss Widens Ahead of New Product Launches

But she also mourned the milestones that will never come, like Antonio's first day at school.

NPR: Police Arrest 2 Teens In Georgia Baby's Killing

They reached victory milestones they haven't achieved in decades, clinching their first winning seasons since 1994-95.

WSJ: Fordham falls 1 point short in A10 title game

And it is for ballooning the 54-year-old has been given his latest award, the First Aero Club Cup, which recognises more than 40 milestones he has set.

BBC: World explorer Hempleman-Adams: 'I've been lucky'

It is the first and only app to reward users with achievement badges for reaching workout milestones.

ENGADGET: Preva Mobile for iOS aims to track your workouts, keep you going to the gym

This year, China has passed several milestones in developing military technology that could be used in these areas: It conducted the first test flight of a stealth fighter prototype in January and began sea trials of its first aircraft carrier in August.

WSJ: Beijing Launches GPS Rival

John Paul II, who preceded Benedict, was the first pontiff to use the Internet, and the 20th century saw a string of other milestones for popes using technology to reach the masses.

CNN: Pope Benedict sends first personal tweet