1634
Science
Birth of Marie-Madeleine Pioche de la Vergne in Paris
Marie-Madeleine Pioche de la Vergne, later known as Madame de La Fayette, was born in Paris on March 18, 1634.
View detailsThis Day
18March
25 indexed achievements across recorded history.
1891
Science
Becomes first president of the World's WCTU
Willard became the first president of the World's Woman's Christian Temperance Union, extending her reform leadership internationally.
View details1895
Activism
First African-American woman on a major city school board
Appointed to the DC Board of Education, becoming the first African-American woman in such a role.
View details1907
Politics
Birth of Verda Freeman Welcome
Verda Freeman was born in Lake Lure, North Carolina, on March 18, 1907, the daughter of a sharecropper family who later moved to Baltimore.
View details1910
Activism
Move of company headquarters to Indianapolis
Madam C. J. Walker moved her company headquarters to Indianapolis, creating a hub for Black enterprise.
View details1930
Sports
Birth of Arlene Pieper
Arlene Val Richter was born on March 18, 1930, later known as Arlene Pieper Stine, the first woman to officially finish a sanctioned U.S. marathon.
View details1939
Science
Formal scientific naming of Latimeria chalumnae in Nature
Latimeria chalumnae was announced in Nature in 1939, formally recognizing Courtenay-Latimer's coelacanth discovery.
View details1943
Activism
Launch of Liberty Ship SS Molly Pitcher
SS Molly Pitcher, a Liberty ship, launched in WWII, celebrating women's wartime contributions.
View details1952
Science
Patent 2,589,983 for Electrical Indicator of Mechanical Expansion issued
U.S. patent 2,589,983, another “Electrical Indicator of Mechanical Expansion,” co‑invented with Vincent J. Schaefer, is issued to Katharine Burr Blodgett.
View details1957
Law
First woman commissioner of assize
Heilbron was appointed as England’s first woman commissioner of assize, extending her trailblazing tenure.
View details1957
Arts
Records landmark album with Clifford Brown
Vaughan collaborates with Clifford Brown, producing a landmark album.
View details1963
Arts
Birth of Vanessa L. Williams
Vanessa Lynn Williams was born in Millwood, New York, to music teachers Helen and Milton Williams.
View details1963
Arts
Carnegie Hall performance during folk revival
Sara Carter performed at Carnegie Hall.
View details1964
Science
Birth of Bonnie Blair
Bonnie Kathleen Blair was born in Cornwall, New York, later becoming one of the most decorated American Winter Olympians in history.
View details1964
Science
Public recognition of the Federal Woman’s Award
Newspaper coverage on this date publicized Blanch’s Federal Woman’s Award and brought her achievements to wider attention.
View details1970
Politics
Introduction of the royal walkabout
Queen Elizabeth II engaged the public in Sydney during the first walkabout.
View details1978
Literature
Death of Faith Baldwin
Faith Baldwin passed away on March 18, 1978, in Norwalk, Connecticut.
View details1980
Arts
Death in Cuernavaca, Mexico
Tamara de Lempicka died in Cuernavaca, Mexico, her ashes scattered over Popocatépetl.
View details1989
Arts
"Electric Youth" reaches No. 1 on the Billboard 200
Gibson's second studio album, "Electric Youth," reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart dated March 18, 1989, beginning a five-week run at the top.
View details1999
2007
Arts
Kunstpreis Berlin, Akademie der Künste
Sejima and Nishizawa received the Kunstpreis Berlin (Art Prize Berlin) from the Akademie der Künste for their architectural work.
View details2013
Arts
Receives Edward MacDowell Medal in the Arts
Patti Smith awarded Edward MacDowell Medal on March 18, 2013.
View details2014
Literature
Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters
Appointed Officer of the French Order of Arts and Letters.
View details2016
Politics
Took seat in the Senate of Canada
Formally summoned and took her seat as an independent senator representing Quebec.
View details2024
Literature
Hans Christian Andersen Award for Writing
IBBY named Judy Blume the 2024 laureate of the Hans Christian Andersen Award, children's literature's most prestigious international honor.
View details