1678
Science
Died in Wieuwerd, Friesland
Anna Maria van Schurman died on 4 May 1678 in Wieuwerd, Friesland, while living in the Labadist religious community she had joined.
View detailsThis Day
04May
32 indexed achievements across recorded history.
1742
Activism
Opening of girls' boarding school in Germantown, Pennsylvania
On 4 May 1742, 16-year-old Benigna Zinzendorf opened a boarding school for about 25 girls in Germantown, teaching reading, writing, religion, and household arts.
View details1742
Activism
First boarding school for girls in the British American colonies
The school Benigna founded is recognized as the first boarding school for girls in the British American colonies, a landmark in early American female education.
View details1744
Science
Birth of Marianna Martines in Vienna
Marianna Martines was born in Vienna on 4 May 1744, into a family connected to the papal nuncio's household, setting the stage for her extraordinary musical education.
View details1846
Literature
Publication of Poems by Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell
Emily Brontë's first book-length publication appeared under the male pseudonym 'Ellis Bell' in this joint poetry collection with her sisters.
View details1847
Arts
London debut at Her Majesty's Theatre
Jenny Lind sang in Meyerbeer's Les Huguenots at Her Majesty's Theatre in London, an instant sensation with British audiences.
View details1848
Science
Marriage to Jane Lathrop Loring
Gray married Jane Lathrop Loring on May 4, 1848; the couple had no children and remained together through his career.
View details1861
Science
'I taste a liquor never brewed' published as 'The May-Wine'
One of Dickinson's most celebrated poems appeared in the Springfield Daily Republican on May 4, 1861, under the title 'The May-Wine.'
View details1878
Activism
Birth of Opha May Jacob (Johnson)
Opha May Jacob (later Johnson) was born in Kokomo, Indiana, on May 4, 1878.
View details1884
Law
Ejected from Ladies’ Car on Railroad Train
On May 4, 1884, Ida B. Wells was forcibly removed from the ladies’ car on a railroad train, leading to a lawsuit.
View details1908
Science
Founded the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology at UC Berkeley
Annie Alexander founded and funded the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology at the University of California, Berkeley, one of the first natural history museums founded and sustained by a woman.
View details1912
Science
Death of Nettie Maria Stevens
Nettie Maria Stevens died on May 4, 1912, after a short but significant scientific career.
View details1916
Activism
Birth of Jane Jacobs
Jane Jacobs was born on May 4, 1916, in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
View details1929
1954
Science
Patent granted: Method and Apparatus for the Storage of Heat
U.S. Patent 2,677,243 for a “Method and Apparatus for the Storage of Heat” is granted to Maria Telkes.
View details1954
Science
Patent granted: Heat Storage Unit
U.S. Patent 2,677,367 for a “Heat Storage Unit” is granted to Maria Telkes.
View details1954
Science
Patent granted: Composition of Matter for the Storage of Heat
U.S. Patent 2,677,664 for a “Composition of Matter for the Storage of Heat” is granted to Maria Telkes.
View details1959
Arts
Grammy Award for The Music Man cast album
Grammy Award presented for the original Broadway cast album of *The Music Man*, extending Willson’s Broadway triumph into recorded music.
View details1961
Arts
Death of Anita Stewart
Anita Stewart passed away on May 4, 1961, in Beverly Hills, California.
View details1969
Arts
Live recording at Montreux Jazz Festival
Vaughan performs at Montreux Jazz Festival, recorded for release.
View details1978
Medicine
Presentation of Rosenstiel Award for Distinguished Work in Basic Medical Research
McClintock received the Rosenstiel Award for her contributions to understanding the evolution and control of genetic information.
View details1979
Politics
Becomes first female UK Prime Minister
Enters 10 Downing Street after Conservative election victory.
View details1984
Medicine
Landmark HTLV-III/AIDS paper received for publication
A key paper by Gallo's group, including Wong-Staal, on isolating a T-lymphotropic retrovirus from AIDS patients was received for publication on May 4, 1984.
View details1993
Arts
Release of live album "Selena Live!"
Release of "Selena Live!", the concert album that would earn Selena a Grammy and showcase her powerhouse live performances.
View details2011
Science
Inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame
Takeuchi was formally inducted into the U.S. National Inventors Hall of Fame for her lithium/silver vanadium oxide battery used in implantable defibrillators.
View details2012
Sports
First woman to win the Kentucky Oaks
Rosie Napravnik wins the Kentucky Oaks on Believe You Can on 2012-05-04, becoming the first woman jockey to capture the race.
View details2013
Sports
Highest Kentucky Derby finish by a female jockey
Rosie Napravnik rides Mylute to a fifth-place finish in the Kentucky Derby on 2013-05-04, the best Derby placing ever by a female jockey.
View details2014
Politics
Induction into the National Women’s Hall of Fame
Mink was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame posthumously.
View details2015
Politics
First declared female candidate for 2016 Republican presidential nomination
Carly Fiorina announces her 2016 Republican presidential bid, becoming the first declared female GOP candidate that cycle.
View details2016
Science
Induction into the National Inventors Hall of Fame
Perlman was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame for network routing innovations.
View details2016
Science
Profiled by Science Learning Hub as an educational case study
On 4 May 2016, Science Learning Hub published an educational resource on the Kindling Cracker, profiling Hutchinson's invention and entrepreneurial journey for classroom use.
View details2024
Science
Record-breaking Copacabana Beach concert audience
Madonna performs a free Celebration Tour concert on Copacabana Beach to an estimated 1.6 million spectators, the largest crowd ever for a solo artist's concert.
View details