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April 1CalendarApril 3
This Day
02April

19 indexed achievements across recorded history.


1502
Catherine of Aragon
Politics

Widowing of Catherine upon death of Arthur

Death of Arthur, Prince of Wales, at Ludlow; Catherine of Aragon is widowed.

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Catherine of Aragon·Wikipedia - Catherine of Aragon
1647
Maria Merian
Science

Birth of Maria Sibylla Merian in Frankfurt am Main

Maria Sibylla Merian was born in Frankfurt am Main into a family of publishers and engravers, setting the stage for her future as a naturalist-artist.

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Maria Merian·Maria Sibylla Merian - Wikipedia
1647
Maria Sibylla Merian
Arts

Birth of Maria Sibylla Merian

Maria Sibylla Merian was born in Frankfurt am Main, in a family of artists and printers.

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Maria Sibylla Merian·Encyclopedia Britannica - Maria Sibylla Merian
1757
Elizabeth Timothy
Science

Death of Elizabeth Timothy

Elizabeth Timothy died in Charleston, South Carolina, on 2 April 1757, closing out a pioneering career as America's first female newspaper publisher.

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Elizabeth Timothy·Elizabeth Timothy - Wikipedia
1900
Eleanor Anne Ormerod
Science

First woman awarded honorary LL.D. by the University of Edinburgh

On 2 April 1900, Edinburgh conferred an honorary Doctor of Laws on Ormerod, the first honorary doctorate the university awarded to a woman.

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Eleanor Anne Ormerod·Eleanor Ormerod, LL.D., Economic Entomologist - Project Gutenberg
1902
Esther Hobart Morris
Activism

Death in Cheyenne, Wyoming

Esther Hobart Morris died in Cheyenne, Wyoming, on April 2, 1902, at the age of 87.

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Esther Hobart Morris·Encyclopedia.com — Morris, Esther Hobart (1814-1902)
1907
Irene Mayer Selznick
Arts

Birth of Irene Mayer Selznick

Irene Mayer Selznick was born on April 2, 1907.

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Irene Mayer Selznick·Today's Jewish Birthday: Irene Mayer Selznick
1917
Jeannette Rankin
Politics

First Woman to Serve in Congress

Rankin sworn in, first woman to serve in U.S. Congress.

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Jeannette Rankin·Jeannette Rankin Assumes Office - History.com
1919
Constance Markievicz
Science

First female cabinet minister in Ireland and Western Europe

On 2 April 1919, Markievicz was appointed Secretary/Minister for Labour in the First Dáil government, becoming the first female cabinet minister in Irish and Western European history.

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Constance Markievicz·UK Parliament: Celebrating the First Woman MP, 100 Years On
1930
Zewditu
Science

Death of Empress Zewditu

Empress Zewditu died on April 2, 1930, in Addis Ababa, reportedly from grief and illness following her husband's defeat, ending her 13-year reign.

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Zewditu·Empress Zewditu (1876-1930) | BlackPast
1958
Mary Barbour
Activism

Death of Mary Barbour

Mary Barbour died on 2 April 1958 in Glasgow, aged 83, having spent her life fighting for tenants' and women's rights.

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Mary Barbour·Mary Barbour - Wikipedia
1974
Katharine Hepburn
Arts

Only Academy Awards ceremony appearance — presenting the Thalberg Award

Hepburn made her sole live Oscars ceremony appearance, presenting the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award to producer Lawrence Weingarten.

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Katharine Hepburn·46th Academy Awards - Wikipedia
1991
Rita Johnston
Politics

Becomes Premier of British Columbia

Rita Johnston became the first woman premier in Canadian history on April 2, 1991.

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Rita Johnston·On this day in Canada's political history: BC's Rita Johnston becomes Canada's first female premier
1992
Kathryn D. Sullivan
Science

Landing of STS-45, completion of first Spacelab Mission to Planet Earth

STS-45 landed at Kennedy Space Center, concluding Sullivan's final spaceflight and the first Spacelab Mission to Planet Earth.

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Kathryn D. Sullivan·Kathryn D. Sullivan - Wikipedia (German)
1992
Selena
Arts

Marriage to Chris Pérez

Selena marries guitarist Chris Pérez in Nueces County, Texas, after overcoming family opposition to their relationship.

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Selena·Selena - Wikipedia
1997
Eugenie Anderson
Politics

Death of Eugenie Anderson in Red Wing, Minnesota

Eugenie Anderson died on April 2, 1997, in Red Wing, Minnesota, at age 87, after a pioneering career as the first American woman ambassador and UN Security Council representative.

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Eugenie Anderson·Los Angeles Times – Obituary: Eugenie Anderson; U.S. Diplomat
2001
Annika Sorenstam
Sports

First 59 by a woman in competition

Shoots 59 at the Standard Register PING on 2 April 2001, becoming the first woman ever to record 59 in an official tour event.

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Annika Sorenstam·About Annika Sorenstam – Haskins Foundation
2008
Katalin Karikó
Science

Filing of patent application leading to US8748089B2

A further U.S. patent application on pseudouridine-containing RNA molecules and methods was filed by Karikó and Weissman.

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Katalin Karikó·Wikipedia (Spanish): Katalin Karikó
2012
Elizabeth Catlett
Arts

Death of Elizabeth Catlett

Elizabeth Catlett passed away in Cuernavaca, Mexico, on April 2, 2012.

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Elizabeth Catlett·Whitney Museum of American Art