1706
Science
Observation of total solar eclipse
Eimmart observed and recorded the total solar eclipse from Nuremberg on 12 May 1706.
View detailsThis Day
12May
30 indexed achievements across recorded history.
1732
Science
Second documented woman to receive a university degree
Bassi received her laurea (doctorate of philosophy) from the University of Bologna, becoming one of the first women in Europe with a university doctorate.
View details1820
Medicine
Florence Nightingale born in Florence
Founder of modern nursing is born to a wealthy British family.
View details1837
Activism
Inherits the Coutts banking fortune
Inherited approximately £1.8 million from her step-grandmother Harriot, Duchess of St Albans, becoming reportedly the richest woman in England.
View details1857
Medicine
Founded the New York Infirmary for Women and Children
On 12 May 1857, Zakrzewska co-founded the New York Infirmary for Women and Children, widely recognized as the first U.S. hospital staffed and run entirely by women.
View details1872
Science
Birth of Eleanor Rathbone
Eleanor Florence Rathbone was born in Liverpool into a prominent family renowned for philanthropy and social reform.
View details1900
Activism
Birth of Mildred Helen McAfee
Mildred Helen McAfee was born in Parkville, Missouri, on 12 May 1900.
View details1902
Medicine
Death of Maria Elizabeth Zakrzewska
Zakrzewska died on 12 May 1902 in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, after a career that helped open American medicine to women physicians and nurses.
View details1907
Science
Birth in Hartford, Connecticut
Katharine Houghton Hepburn was born in Hartford, Connecticut, to Dr. Thomas Norval Hepburn and Katharine Martha Houghton Hepburn.
View details1907
Activism
Anna Jarvis holds first memorial for her mother, launching the Mother's Day campaign
On May 12, 1907, Anna Jarvis held a memorial service for her late mother in Grafton, West Virginia, launching her national campaign for Mother's Day.
View details1910
Science
Birth of Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin
Dorothy Mary Crowfoot was born in Cairo, Egypt, to British parents John Winter Crowfoot and Grace Mary Hood.
View details1910
Science
Birth of Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin
Dorothy Mary Crowfoot was born in Cairo, Egypt, to British parents working in the Egyptian Education Service.
View details1915
Science
Formation of the Birth Control League in New York
New Yorkers organized the Birth Control League on May 12, 1915, institutionalizing support for the birth control cause.
View details1918
Arts
Born in Hot Wells, Texas
Mary Kathlyn Wagner was born in Hot Wells, Texas, on May 12, 1918, later becoming one of America's most influential female entrepreneurs.
View details1925
1937
Sports
Birth of Beryl Burton
Beryl Burton was born on May 12, 1937, in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.
View details1949
1949
Science
Joins the Eckert–Mauchly Computer Corporation
Begins work that leads to the first compiler and, later, COBOL.
View details1950
Arts
First American woman auctioneer, inaugural auction in Brattleboro
Emma Bailey holds her first auction in Brattleboro, Vermont, selling a rocking chair and becoming the first American woman auctioneer.
View details1960
Science
Publishes landmark paper decoding Maya historical inscriptions at Piedras Negras
Presented her groundbreaking analysis proving Maya glyphs recorded real historical events and rulers, revolutionizing Maya archaeology.
View details1970
Literature
Death of Nelly Sachs in Stockholm
Death of Nelly Sachs in Stockholm on 12 May 1970, after a life as a refugee, poet, and Nobel laureate.
View details1980
Arts
Death of Bette Nesmith Graham
Bette Nesmith Graham died in Richardson, Texas, age 56.
View details1982
Sports
Major national performance at City of Adelaide Championships
Bev Francis achieved a 570.0 kg total in the 82.5 kg class at the City of Adelaide Championships.
View details1992
Arts
Release of breakthrough album "Entre a Mi Mundo"
Selena releases "Entre a Mi Mundo," her breakthrough album in Mexican and U.S. Latin markets, selling over 300,000 copies.
View details2004
Arts
Solo Exhibition Opens at Storm King Art Center
Booker's solo outdoor exhibition of large-scale tire sculptures opened at Storm King Art Center in New Windsor, New York.
View details2006
Medicine
Wiley Prize in Biomedical Sciences awarded to Greider
Wiley Prize in Biomedical Sciences formally awarded to Carol W. Greider and Elizabeth Blackburn at Rockefeller University.
View details2008
Science
Death of Irena Sendler in Warsaw
Irena Sendler died at age 98 in Warsaw, Poland, remembered as a humanitarian who saved approximately 2,500 Jewish children during the Holocaust.
View details2013
Arts
"The Observance" Closes at Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami
Booker's solo exhibition "The Observance" concluded its two-month run at the Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami.
View details2016
Aviation
Speaks at MAC Luncheon as first female Blue Angels pilot
Katie speaks at MAC Luncheon as first female Blue Angels pilot.
View details2022
Science
First image of Sagittarius A* released
The Event Horizon Telescope collaboration released the first image of Sagittarius A*, with Bouman part of the team.
View details