527
Politics
Accession as Byzantine empress.
Theodora becomes Eastern Roman empress as Justinian I ascends the throne.
View detailsThis Day
01April
53 indexed achievements across recorded history.
1204
1764
Science
Calculation of the 1 April 1764 annular solar eclipse
On 1 April 1764, Nicole-Reine Lepaute’s calculations accurately predicted the duration and extent of an annular solar eclipse visible across Europe.
View details1764
Science
Annular solar eclipse observed
The annular solar eclipse she had calculated occurred on 1 April 1764, confirming her astronomical work.
View details1776
Science
Birth of Sophie Germain
Marie-Sophie Germain was born in Paris into a wealthy bourgeois family during the French Revolution.
View details1815
Science
Leads first modern archaeological excavation at Ashkelon
Begins her Ottoman-sanctioned excavation at Ashkelon, widely regarded as the first modern archaeological dig in Palestine and the Holy Land.
View details1817
Activism
Forms the Association for the Improvement of the Female Prisoners in Newgate
Fry helped establish a pioneering women-led organization providing education and work programs for imprisoned women and children at Newgate.
View details1892
Science
Franklin Institute Sub-Committee Report
A report recognized Gibbon's street railway track improvements.
View details1895
Science
Birth of Alberta Hunter in Memphis, Tennessee
Alberta Hunter was born on April 1, 1895, in Memphis, Tennessee, to a working-class African American family.
View details1895
Arts
Sale of Bible Quilt to Jennie Smith
By April 1895, Harriet Powers sold her Bible Quilt to Jennie Smith for $5.
View details1897
Science
Fungus paper presented to the Linnean Society by proxy
Potter's paper 'On the Germination of the Spores of Agaricineae' was read to the Linnean Society by George Massee, as women could not attend.
View details1898
Arts
Completion of Pictorial Quilt
Harriet Powers completed her Pictorial Quilt around April 1898.
View details1900
Arts
Début as Eos in The Awakening of Flora
Pavlova debuted as Eos in 'The Awakening of Flora' in April 1900.
View details1904
Arts
Opens independent architectural practice in San Francisco
Morgan opened her own architectural office in San Francisco's financial district, one of the earliest woman-led architecture practices in the city.
View details1905
Medicine
Founded the National First Aid Association of America
Barton founded the National First Aid Association of America, advancing civilian first-aid education and preparedness in her later years.
View details1908
Law
Appointed superintendent of Women's Protective Division
Appointed as superintendent of pioneering Women's Protective Division of Portland Police.
View details1908
Law
First woman hired under civil service rules
First woman hired under civil service rules as a full-time, paid law enforcement officer in the U.S.
View details1908
Law
Sworn in as first municipal policewoman
First municipal policewoman and first woman hired by a U.S. municipality for regular enforcement duties.
View details1917
1920
Science
Became first African American teacher in NYC public school
Sarah Delany became NYC's first African American high school teacher in 1920.
View details1929
Science
Publication of "Colour and Colour Theories"
Ladd-Franklin's book synthesizing decades of her color vision research was published.
View details1936
Activism
Named one of ten outstanding women in the United States
Named one of ten outstanding women in the United States, honoring her industrial and New Deal reform leadership.
View details1937
1939
Science
Publication of first comprehensive Grand Canyon river flora study
American Midland Naturalist published Clover and Jotter's "Floristic Studies of the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River," the first comprehensive scientific catalog of the river's flora.
View details1940
Literature
Completion of Early Version of "Requiem"
Completed the early version of "Requiem" on April 1, 1940.
View details1943
Activism
Hospitalization at Grosvenor Sanatorium
In April 1943 Simone Weil is hospitalized at Grosvenor Sanatorium in Ashford, Kent, with tuberculosis and severe malnutrition brought on by wartime austerity.
View details1953
Sports
Reports to Indianapolis Clowns; first woman to play regularly in a major men’s professional baseball league
Toni Stone reported for spring training with the Indianapolis Clowns, making history.
View details1955
1956
Science
Birth of Libby Riddles in Madison, Wisconsin
Liberty Clarissa "Libby" Riddles was born in Madison, Wisconsin, on April 1, 1956.
View details1958
Arts
Premiere of Clytemnestra
Clytemnestra premiered on April 1, 1958, Graham's only full-length work.
View details1965
Science
Death of Helena Rubinstein in New York City
Helena Rubinstein died in New York City on April 1, 1965, leaving behind a global cosmetics empire and a legacy as one of the world's wealthiest women.
View details1969
1977
Literature
Publication of 'The Women's Room'
French's landmark feminist novel 'The Women's Room' was published, becoming a bestselling touchstone of second-wave feminism.
View details1980
Sports
Broderick Cup as nation’s top female athlete
Receives the Broderick Cup as the nation’s top female collegiate athlete, capping her Old Dominion career.
View details1980
Sports
First two-time Wade Trophy winner
Becomes the first and only two-time winner of the Wade Trophy as national women’s collegiate player of the year.
View details1982
Literature
Margaret A. Edwards Award (School Library Journal Award)
Blume received the award (then called the School Library Journal Award) from the American Library Association for lasting contribution to YA literature.
View details1987
Science
Presentation of the Tiltster digital-clock toaster
Ruane Jeter introduced the innovative Tiltster toaster to the market in April 1987.
View details1988
Literature
Awarded the Hans Christian Andersen Award
In 1988 Annie M.G. Schmidt became the first Dutch author to receive the Hans Christian Andersen Medal, the highest international honor in children's literature.
View details1993
Literature
Publication of 'Having Our Say'
Delany published "Having Our Say" at 104, chronicling 100 years.
View details1994
Arts
Chef-in-residence at Middleton Place Plantation, South Carolina
Lewis became chef-in-residence at Middleton Place Plantation, interpreting Lowcountry and Southern cuisines in a historic setting.
View details1995
Literature
Becomes First Science Fiction Writer to Receive MacArthur Fellowship
Octavia Butler became the first science fiction writer to win the prestigious MacArthur 'Genius' Fellowship.
View details1998
Politics
Wins seat in the 15th National Assembly
Entered the 15th National Assembly as a member of parliament representing the Grand National Party.
View details2001
Arts
Joined ABT corps de ballet
Misty Copeland joined ABT as a member of the corps de ballet.
View details2001
Science
Co-authorship of sclerosteosis and sclerostin genetics paper
Co-authored paper in American Journal of Human Genetics on genetic causes of sclerosteosis.
View details2004
Science
Massachusetts designates the 'Lydia Taft Highway'
The Massachusetts legislature honored Lydia Taft by naming a stretch of Route 146A in Uxbridge the 'Lydia Taft Highway.'
View details2008
Activism
Publication of 'Let Me Stand Alone'
Rachel Corrie’s writings were published in her book 'Let Me Stand Alone.'
View details2009
Science
AAES John Fritz Medal
Received AAES John Fritz Medal, a top U.S. engineering honor.
View details2011
Exploration
Start of London2London: Via the World Expedition
Outen set off from London for her global circumnavigation expedition.
View details2012
Medicine
Death of Leila Denmark
Leila Denmark passed away on April 1, 2012, at the age of 114.
View details2012
Arts
Breakthrough performance in Ratmansky’s Firebird
Misty Copeland danced the title role in Alexei Ratmansky’s new "Firebird."
View details2015
Exploration
Announced attempt to row North Pacific Ocean
Announced plans to be the first woman to row the North Pacific Ocean.
View details2017
Activism
Youngest-ever UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador appointment
Became youngest UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador at age 19.
View details2023
Science
First Barbie doll with Down syndrome released
Mattel released its first Barbie doll with Down syndrome, expanding representation of people with disabilities within the Barbie line.
View details