1636
Science
First woman to attend a Dutch university (Utrecht)
Van Schurman became the first woman permitted to attend lectures at Utrecht University, seated behind a curtain to avoid distracting male students.
View detailsThis Day
05June
22 indexed achievements across recorded history.
1646
Science
Birth in Venice
Elena Lucrezia Cornaro Piscopia was born at Ca' Loredan in Venice.
View details1851
Literature
First installment of Uncle Tom’s Cabin serialized
First installment of Uncle Tom’s Cabin appears in The National Era, launching Stowe’s most influential work.
View details1887
Science
Birth of Ruth Fulton in New York City
Ruth Fulton (later Benedict) was born in New York City on June 5, 1887, later becoming one of the most influential American anthropologists of the 20th century.
View details1893
Law
Opening of Lizzie Borden’s murder trial
Lizzie Borden’s murder trial opened in New Bedford, Massachusetts, on June 5, 1893.
View details1893
Activism
Death of Mary Ann Shadd Cary
Mary Ann Shadd Cary passed away in Washington, D.C. on June 5, 1893.
View details1906
Science
Patent granted for spring-loaded exercise swing
Wilcox received U.S. Patent No. 822,329 for a spring-loaded exercise swing.
View details1907
Science
Death of Agathe Backer-Grøndahl in Ormøy, Norway
Agathe Backer-Grøndahl died on 5 June 1907 near Christiania (Oslo), Norway, ending a prolific career as composer and pianist.
View details1920
Politics
Appointed first director of the U.S. Women’s Bureau
Appointed first director of the U.S. Women’s Bureau, becoming the first woman from labor to lead a federal executive department.
View details1926
Sports
Last French Championships Singles Title
Won her last French Championships singles title before turning professional.
View details1928
Science
Sworn in as first woman on the federal bench
On June 5, 1928, Cline took her oath of office at the Cleveland Federal Building, formally becoming the first woman ever to serve on the federal bench.
View details1939
Literature
Birth of Laurali Rose Wright
L.R. Wright was born on June 5, 1939, in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.
View details1940
Arts
First MFA in sculpture awarded by the University of Iowa
First MFA in sculpture by the University of Iowa awarded to Elizabeth Catlett.
View details1957
Arts
Death of Frances Densmore
Frances Densmore died on June 5, 1957, in Red Wing, Minnesota.
View details1990
Politics
First woman nominated by Democrats for California governor
In 1990, Feinstein was the first female nominated for California governor by Democrats.
View details1993
Sports
First woman to win a Triple Crown race (Belmont Stakes)
Julie Krone piloted Colonial Affair to victory in the Belmont Stakes, becoming the first woman to win a Triple Crown race.
View details1997
Activism
Congressional Gold Medal
Mother Teresa receives the Congressional Gold Medal in the U.S.
View details2002
Science
First NASA ISS Science Officer
Peggy Whitson became the first NASA ISS Science Officer on June 5, 2002.
View details2002
Aviation
First spaceflight: Launch of STS-111 / Expedition 5
Whitson's first spaceflight started with the launch of STS-111 to ISS as a flight engineer on June 5, 2002.
View details2009
2012
Science
First woman to command an Air Force Major Command
Wolfenbarger became the first woman ever to command a U.S. Air Force Major Command, taking charge of Air Force Materiel Command.
View details2012
Science
First female four-star general in U.S. Air Force history
Janet C. Wolfenbarger became the first woman to attain four-star general rank in the United States Air Force.
View details