1614
Science
Death of Lavinia Fontana in Rome
Fontana died in Rome on August 11, 1614, leaving one of the largest surviving bodies of work by any woman artist active before the 18th century.
View detailsThis Day
11August
26 indexed achievements across recorded history.
1853
Politics
Meeting with Abraham Lincoln
Stowe met President Abraham Lincoln at the White House, underscoring the political force of Uncle Tom’s Cabin.
View details1892
Law
Arrest of Lizzie Borden for the Borden murders
Lizzie Borden was arrested for the murders of her parents on August 11, 1892.
View details1897
1897
Literature
Birth of Louise Bogan
Louise Bogan was born on August 11, 1897, in Livermore Falls, Maine.
View details1902
Arts
Birth of Edith Norma Shearer
Edith Norma Shearer was born in Montréal, Québec, Canada, later becoming a leading star of MGM.
View details1912
Science
Birth of Eva Ahnert-Rohlfs
Eva Ahnert-Rohlfs was born on August 11, 1912, in Coburg, Germany.
View details1917
Arts
Saturday Evening Post cover: Woman Pilot
McMein's 'Woman Pilot' cover for the Saturday Evening Post was published on August 11, 1917.
View details1936
Sports
First Japanese Woman to Win Olympic Gold
On August 11, 1936, Hideko Maehata won the Olympic gold in 200m breaststroke at the Berlin Games.
View details1937
Literature
Death of Edith Wharton
Edith Wharton died of a stroke at Pavillon Colombe, her home near Paris, France, aged 75.
View details1942
Science
Granted U.S. Patent 2,292,387 for Secret Communication System
The U.S. Patent Office granted Patent No. 2,292,387 to Hedy Kiesler Markey and George Antheil for a frequency-hopping secret communication system.
View details1944
Science
Marriage to Clifton H. Kreps Jr.
Juanita Morris marries economist Clifton H. Kreps Jr., forming a dual‑career academic partnership that supported her advanced study and later public service.
View details1946
Science
Born in St. Louis, Missouri
Marilyn vos Savant was born on August 11, 1946, in St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
View details1947
Politics
Elected member of Pakistan's first Constituent Assembly
Shaista Ikramullah became one of only two women elected to Pakistan's first Constituent Assembly, shaping the nation's founding legal framework.
View details1949
Science
Automobile accident that fatally injured Margaret Mitchell
Mitchell was struck by a speeding taxi while crossing Peachtree Street in Atlanta with her husband, sustaining critical injuries.
View details1962
Activism
Padma Shri Award (India)
Presentation of the Padma Shri Award to Mother Teresa by the President of India.
View details1965
Arts
Birth of Viola Davis
Viola Davis was born on August 11, 1965, in St. Matthews, South Carolina, and raised in Central Falls, Rhode Island.
View details1976
Activism
Betty Ford becomes honorary president of Girl Scouts
Betty Ford became the 11th honorary president of Girl Scouts on August 11, 1976.
View details1983
Science
Death
Mamie Phipps Clark died of lung cancer in New York on August 11, 1983, at age 66.
View details1989
Politics
Bush announces intent to nominate Hills as U.S. Trade Representative
President George H.W. Bush announced his intent to nominate Carla Hills as United States Trade Representative.
View details2009
Activism
Death of Eunice Kennedy Shriver
Eunice Kennedy Shriver passed away on August 11, 2009.
View details2009
Activism
Death of Margaret Bush Wilson
Margaret Bush Wilson died at age 90 in St. Louis, Missouri.
View details2018
Sports
First woman to win a British Formula 3 race
Chadwick became the first woman to win a British Formula 3 race, taking victory at Brands Hatch.
View details2019
Sports
First-ever W Series champion
Chadwick won the inaugural W Series championship at Brands Hatch.
View details2020
Politics
Named Democratic Vice-Presidential Running Mate
First Black and South Asian Woman on a Major-Party National Ticket.
View details2023
Arts
Achieves EGOT status with Grammy win for 'Finding Me' audiobook
Viola Davis achieved EGOT status (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony) after winning a Grammy for Best Audio Book on February 5, 2023, for narrating her memoir 'Finding Me.'
View details