1766
Politics
Death of Margaret Fownes-Luttrell
Margaret Fownes-Luttrell passed away on August 13, 1766, leaving behind a legacy intertwined with Dunster Castle.
View detailsThis Day
13August
25 indexed achievements across recorded history.
1792
Science
Imprisonment in the Temple
Marie Antoinette and her family were formally imprisoned in the Temple fortress in Paris following the fall of the monarchy.
View details1818
1860
Science
Birth of Annie Oakley
Phoebe Ann Mosey, later famed as Annie Oakley, was born in a log cabin in Darke County, Ohio.
View details1880
Activism
Birth of Mary Macarthur
Mary Reid Macarthur was born on August 13, 1880, in Glasgow, Scotland.
View details1906
Exploration
First to Publish Map of the Siachen Glacier
On August 13, 1906, Fanny Bullock Workman published the first map of the Siachen Glacier, showcasing her significant contributions to cartography and exploration.
View details1911
Aviation
Second woman in the U.S. to obtain a pilot’s license
Moisant earned her pilot’s license, the second woman in the U.S. to do so.
View details1912
1912
Politics
First woman known to vote in an Alaska‑wide election
Nellie Cashman voted in an Alaska‑wide election in 1912, an extraordinary act at the time.
View details1918
Activism
First woman to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps
Opha May Johnson enlisted in the Marine Corps on August 13, 1918, becoming the first woman marine.
View details1932
Sports
Olympic gold and world record in 400-meter freestyle
Madison won her third Olympic gold in the 400m freestyle at Los Angeles in 5:28.5, edging teammate Lenore Kight and breaking the world record.
View details1934
Literature
Death of Mary Hunter Austin
Mary Hunter Austin died on August 13, 1934, in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
View details1946
Politics
Birth of Janet Louise Yellen
Janet Louise Yellen was born in Brooklyn, New York, beginning the life of a future trailblazing American economist and public servant.
View details1955
Activism
Death of Opha May Johnson
Opha May Johnson passed away on August 13, 1955, marking the end of a significant life of service.
View details1956
Politics
Performance at the Democratic National Convention
Jackson performed at the Democratic National Convention, bringing gospel to a major national political stage.
View details1994
Arts
Hollywood Walk of Fame star dedication
Shearer posthumously honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
View details1995
Exploration
K2 summit and death in descent storm
Summited K2 but perished during the descent due to a storm.
View details2004
Arts
Death of Julia Child in Santa Barbara, California
Julia Child died on August 13, 2004, in Santa Barbara, California, just two days before what would have been her 92nd birthday.
View details2004
Arts
Performance of 'Oceania' at Athens 2004 Olympics opening ceremony
Björk performed her song 'Oceania,' written for the occasion, at the Athens 2004 Olympics opening ceremony on August 13, 2004.
View details2005
Sports
World Championships 4x100m relay gold
Williams was part of the U.S. women's 4 × 100-meter relay team that won gold in Helsinki.
View details2007
2008
Sports
Olympic Bronze Medal in Judo
Ronda Rousey won a bronze medal in judo at the Beijing Olympics, the first U.S. woman to do so.
View details2012
Arts
Death of Helen Gurley Brown
Helen Gurley Brown passed away on August 13, 2012, in Manhattan.
View details2014
Science
First woman awarded the Fields Medal
Honored for her work on the dynamics and geometry of Riemann surfaces.
View details2025
Activism
Death of Theresa Kachindamoto
Theresa Kachindamoto died of liver failure in Lilongwe, Malawi.
View details