1693
Science
Death of Madame de La Fayette in Paris
Madame de La Fayette died in Paris on May 25, 1693, at the age of 59, leaving behind a legacy as a pioneering novelist and salon figure.
View detailsThis Day
25May
30 indexed achievements across recorded history.
1853
Medicine
Birth of María Elena Maseras Ribera
María Elena Maseras Ribera was born in Vila-seca, Tarragona, Spain, a future pioneering medical student and pedagogue.
View details1875
Science
First woman in the British Empire to earn a bachelor’s degree
Grace Annie Lockhart receives a BSc and English Literature degree from Mount Allison College, becoming the first woman in Canada and the British Empire to earn a bachelor’s degree.
View details1899
1899
Science
First woman to present paper at IEE
Hertha Ayrton presented "The Hissing of the Electric Arc" at IEE.
View details1900
Science
First woman to win multiple Olympic medals — silver in second 1–2 ton race
Three days after her gold, she won silver in the second 1–2 ton race at the 1900 Paris Games, becoming the first woman to earn more than one Olympic medal.
View details1909
Arts
Birth of Marie Menken in Brooklyn, New York
Marie Menken was born on May 25, 1909, in Brooklyn, New York, to Lithuanian immigrant parents.
View details1919
Activism
Death of Madam C. J. Walker at Villa Lewaro
Madam C. J. Walker died at age 51 at her Villa Lewaro estate in Irvington-on-Hudson, New York, from complications of hypertension and kidney failure.
View details1919
Activism
Death at Irvington-on-Hudson estate
Madam C. J. Walker died from hypertension complications, leaving a vast legacy and business.
View details1924
Arts
Death of Lyubov Popova in Moscow
Popova died of scarlet fever in Moscow on May 25, 1924, at age 35, shortly after her young son died of the same illness.
View details1926
Literature
Birth of Phyllis Gotlieb in Toronto
Phyllis Gotlieb, later celebrated as the 'Mother of Canadian Science Fiction,' was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
View details1928
Science
Senate confirms Cline as first woman federal judge
On May 25, 1928, the U.S. Senate confirmed Cline's nomination to the U.S. Customs Court, making her the first woman ever appointed to the federal judiciary.
View details1931
1937
Arts
Gold medal for "Schiaparelli" panel at Paris International Exhibition
Liebes won a gold medal for her woven panel "Schiaparelli" at the Paris International Exhibition, which opened May 25, 1937, bringing her global recognition.
View details1938
Science
Hospitalization and terminal diagnosis
Mexia hospitalized and diagnosed with lung cancer on May 25, 1938.
View details1939
Exploration
First licensed female Master Mariner in North America
Molly Kool became the first licensed female Master Mariner in North America on May 25, 1939.
View details1945
Exploration
Appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Skarbek was appointed OBE, gazetted in the London Gazette on 25 May 1945, honoring her wartime service as a special agent for Britain.
View details1945
Exploration
Awarded the George Medal for bravery
Krystyna Skarbek received the George Medal, gazetted 25 May 1945, for acts of great bravery during her clandestine wartime operations.
View details1959
Arts
Final public performance in New York City
Gives her final public performance in New York City.
View details1961
Science
Honorary membership in the Linnean Society of London
Mary Agnes Chase was elected an Honorary Member of the Linnean Society of London, recognizing her international standing in agrostology.
View details1962
1970
Exploration
First all‑women ascent of Denali
Blum co-leads the Denali Damsels, achieving the first all-women’s ascent of Denali, a major milestone in women’s mountaineering.
View details1972
Arts
Death of Asta Nielsen
Asta Nielsen passed away on May 25, 1972, ending an era of early cinematic brilliance.
View details1975
Politics
Honorary Doctor of Laws awarded to Ella Grasso by Mount Holyoke College
Mount Holyoke College awards Grasso an honorary Doctor of Laws degree for her pioneering public service.
View details1997
Aviation
Completion of STS-84 Atlantis Shuttle-Mir mission
STS-84 Atlantis, with Eileen Collins as pilot, landed after a ten-day Shuttle-Mir docking and resupply mission.
View details2002
Literature
Berlin Theatre Prize
Received the Berlin Theatre Prize, recognizing her achievements as a dramatist.
View details2011
2011
Arts
Final episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show
Final episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show airs after 25 seasons in national syndication.
View details2012
Science
First CRISPR-Cas9 Patent Application Filed
Charpentier, Doudna, Jinek, and Chylinski filed the first-ever patent application for CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing across all cell types, a foundational moment in biotechnology history.
View details2012
Science
First UC CRISPR-Cas9 Patent Filing
Doudna and co-inventors at UC Berkeley and the University of Vienna filed the first patent application for CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing across all environments.
View details