What was the first true-story film produced and when was it?
I am writing a research paper on true-story movies and I can't find this information anywhere.

Thanks in advance.

I suppose there are some people who would argue that D.W. Griffith's 'Birth Of A Nation' (1915) is 'based on a true story'..or at least, if not a specific story, on 'true events'. The characters may be ficticious but the events depicting the creation of the KKK could be interpreted at 'telling it like it was'...

However, I reckon it's probably the silent classic,'Battleship Potemkin'.
I doubt you'd find a genuine 'true story' film much earlier than 1925.
Sergei Eisenstein's telling of the mutiny/rebellion on board the Potemkin that led to the October uprising and the overthrow of Czarist rule in Russia is probably the earliest 'true story' film..closely followed by Abel Gannce's 5 1/2 arse-numbing hour bio-pic of 'Napoleon' (made in 1927).

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In 1900, James Williamson of Brighton, England filmed "Attack On A China Mission", based on an incident in the then-ongoing Boxer Rebellion. It only lasts a few minutes, but it may be the first footage to reconstruct factual events.

In the same year, Robert William Paul brought out an epic (over 40 minutes!) documentary "Army Life", which depicted skirmishes in the Boer War. In fact they were shot on a golf course in Muswell Hill, London.

Then in 1913 came "The Battle Of Waterloo" filmed in Northampton.

None of these could be called a major cinematic event, like the films Charlie mentions, but they may be worth a mention.

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..as recreated by the Towns Women's Guild?

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No, the Women's Institute. Here's February from their 1913 calendar:

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I'm afraid I'll have wait til I get home to see the WI's Calender for 1913 as the image is being blocked by my work firewall!

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Incidentally, HighKingq, my trusty but out-of-print Guinness Book Of Film Facts And Feats reveals that the first ever feature film (defined as lasting over an hour) was The Story Of The Kelly Gang, made in Australia in 1906 and certainly inspired by historical events.

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Oh yes I remember that, yes I am that old. No but I do recall reading about that movie.
All I see is a red x too and I am at home.

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Now I can see her.

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Oh I'm so glad! Wasn't she lovely?

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