1840
Medicine
Birth of Sophia Jex-Blake
Sophia Louisa Jex-Blake was born in Hastings, Sussex, England, to a devout Evangelical family.
View detailsThis Day
21January
21 indexed achievements across recorded history.
1843
Science
Addresses Congress at John Quincy Adams's invitation
Former President John Quincy Adams invited Mott to address Southern slaveholders in Congress, reflecting her national stature as an abolitionist speaker.
View details1856
Activism
Biddy Mason Wins Freedom
Biddy Mason won her and her family's freedom in California in 1856.
View details1879
Science
Birth of Helen Gwynne-Vaughan
Helen Charlotte Isabella Fraser was born in London, England, on 21 January 1879.
View details1890
Science
U.S. patent granted for railway-crossing gate
U.S. Patent No. 419,612 is granted to Mary Isabelle Riggin for her railway-crossing gate, formally recognizing her pioneering safety invention.
View details1902
Politics
Imperial Edict Initiating Ban on Foot-Binding
Cixi’s court issued edict against foot-binding, first national attempt.
View details1913
Activism
Death of Fanny Jackson Coppin
Fanny Jackson Coppin died in Philadelphia after a lifetime of educational leadership and activism.
View details1918
Activism
First woman electrician in the United States Coast Guard
By January 21, 1918, Hazard was serving as the Coast Guard’s first female electrician.
View details1919
Science
First female TD in the First Dáil
On 21 January 1919, Markievicz became the first woman to sit as a member of the newly convened Dáil Éireann, Ireland's revolutionary parliament.
View details1921
Science
Death of Mary Watson Whitney
Mary Watson Whitney died on January 21, 1921, in Waltham, Massachusetts, at age 73.
View details1925
Literature
Birth of Eva Ibbotson
Eva Ibbotson was born on January 21, 1925, in Vienna, Austria.
View details1941
Sports
Born in Estonia
Maaja Ranniku was born on January 21, 1941, in Estonia, later becoming a notable Estonian chess player.
View details1950
Sports
Co-founds the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA)
Berg was a founding member of the LPGA in 1950 and served as its first president, helping establish women's professional golf in America.
View details1953
Arts
Premiere of breakthrough film “Niagara”
Premiere of “Niagara,” with Marilyn Monroe in a breakthrough starring role that helps establish her as a major box-office star.
View details1957
Arts
Television breakthrough on Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts
Patsy Cline performed “Walkin’ After Midnight” on Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts, bringing national attention.
View details1993
Exploration
First female winter solo of Walker Spur
Completes first female solo winter ascent of Walker Spur, Grandes Jorasses.
View details1993
Politics
Sworn in as first woman and first African American U.S. Secretary of Energy
O'Leary was sworn in as the 7th U.S. Secretary of Energy, becoming the first woman and first African American to hold the position.
View details1996
Literature
Bremer Literature Prize for "Die Kinder der Toten"
Awarded the Bremer Literature Prize for the novel *Die Kinder der Toten*.
View details2009
Politics
Sworn in as U.S. Secretary of State
Sworn in as the 67th U.S. Secretary of State under President Barack Obama.
View details2009
Politics
Sworn in as U.S. Secretary of State
Became the first former First Lady appointed as a U.S. Secretary of State.
View details2020
Science
Receives PMWC Luminary Award for Co-Development of MammaPrint
Laura van 't Veer was formally honored with the PMWC Luminary Award for co-developing the MammaPrint breast cancer recurrence assay.
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