1364
Science
Birth in Venice
Christine de Pizan was born in Venice, Italy, on 1 September 1364, later becoming Europe's first known professional woman writer.
View detailsThis Day
01September
124 indexed achievements across recorded history.
1532
Science
Created Marquess of Pembroke
Henry VIII created Anne Boleyn Marquess of Pembroke, making her the first woman in England to hold a hereditary peerage in her own right.
View details1593
Science
Audience with Queen Elizabeth I at Greenwich Palace
Grace O'Malley met Queen Elizabeth I face-to-face at Greenwich Palace in September 1593, negotiating directly for her family's freedom and the removal of Sir Richard Bingham.
View details1613
Arts
Birth and death of Giovanni Battista
Gave birth to and then lost her first child, Giovanni Battista, in Florence.
View details1645
Literature
Composition of "Contemplations" as first poem inspired by American landscape
Around 1645, Anne Bradstreet writes "Contemplations," later hailed as the first poem inspired by the American landscape, signaling an early shift toward distinctly American literary themes.
View details1650
Literature
Recognition as America’s first woman poet and first true American poet
The 1650 publication of *The Tenth Muse* secures Anne Bradstreet’s reputation as America’s first woman poet and the first true American poet, a foundational figure in American literature.
View details1650
Literature
Publication of The Tenth Muse Lately Sprung Up in America
Around September 1650, Anne Bradstreet’s collection *The Tenth Muse* is published in London, making her the first writer from England’s North American colonies and first female poet published in both England and the New World.
View details1650
Literature
First female poet in America and first published colonial poet in English
The 1650 London issue of *The Tenth Muse* makes Anne Bradstreet the first female poet in America and the first published poet in the English colonies.
View details1650
Literature
First English woman and first New Englander to publish a collection of original poems
Around September 1650, *The Tenth Muse* establishes Anne Bradstreet as the first English woman and first New Englander to publish a collection of original poems.
View details1650
Literature
First collection of poetry written in America to be published
Around September 1650, *The Tenth Muse* becomes the first collection of poetry written in America to be published, anchoring Bradstreet’s role in the origins of American poetry.
View details1670
Science
Debut of first play, The Forc'd Marriage
Behn's debut play The Forc'd Marriage opened the Duke's Company's new season around September 1670, launching her career as a Restoration playwright.
View details1687
Science
Continuation of Hevelius observatory work after her husband's death
After Johannes Hevelius’s death, Elisabetha continued the observatory’s work and prepared major publications.
View details1764
Literature
Founding of the Imperial Public Library
Catherine establishes the Imperial Public Library in St Petersburg in September 1764, a foundation stone of Russia's national library system.
View details1811
Aviation
First solo balloon ascent by a German woman
Wilhelmine Reichard became the first German woman to pilot and ascend in a hydrogen balloon alone, launching from Braunschweig on 1 September 1811.
View details1830
Literature
First publication of "Mary’s Lamb" (month-dated)
Hale’s poem “Mary’s Lamb” (“Mary Had a Little Lamb”) appears in the September 1830 issue of Juvenile Miscellany.
View details1841
Arts
Birth of daughter Marie Schumann
Birth of Clara and Robert Schumann’s first child, Marie, in Leipzig, beginning Clara’s life as a mother of eight.
View details1841
Arts
Birth of daughter Marie
The birth of Clara's first daughter, Marie, is recorded on this date.
View details1849
Activism
Birth of Elizabeth Harrison
Elizabeth Harrison was born on September 1, 1849, in Athens, Kentucky.
View details1850
Activism
Documented Leadership in Girls’ Education at Christiansborg
By September 1, 1850, Catherine's key role in girls' education was documented.
View details1850
Arts
Arrival in New York to begin American tour
Jenny Lind arrived in New York aboard the steamship Atlantic, met by enormous crowds, beginning her Barnum-managed American tour.
View details1851
Literature
First successful publication: poem "Sunlight"
Alcott's poem "Sunlight" was published in Peterson’s Magazine in September 1851.
View details1860
Arts
Birth of Mary Vaux Walcott
Mary Vaux Walcott, notable American botanist and artist, was born on September 1, 1860, in Philadelphia.
View details1860
Activism
Enrollment at Oberlin College and pioneering role as first Black student-teacher
Fanny Jackson enrolled at Oberlin College in 1860, becoming its first Black student-teacher.
View details1863
Medicine
Becomes first female U.S. Army surgeon
Walker was commissioned, making her the first female U.S. Army surgeon and the first woman physician employed by the military.
View details1869
Science
Iowa Amends Bar Admission Law to Include Women and Persons of Color
Following Mansfield's admission, Iowa amended its law making it the first state to statutorily open the bar to women and people of color.
View details1869
Activism
Appointment as principal of the Institute for Colored Youth
Fanny Jackson appointed principal of the Institute for Colored Youth, first Black woman head of higher learning.
View details1871
Science
First female president of a degree-granting women's college
Willard became president of the newly formed Evanston College for Ladies, becoming the first woman to head a degree-granting women's college.
View details1872
Law
First woman admitted to the bar in Utah Territory
Couzins became the first woman admitted to the bar in Utah Territory on September 1, 1872.
View details1872
Medicine
First woman enrolled in a Spanish university
In September 1872, María Elena Maseras enrolled in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Barcelona, becoming the first female university student in Spain.
View details1872
Medicine
Entered first U.S. nurse training class
Richards entered the first class at the New England Hospital for Women and Children, making her the first student.
View details1873
Medicine
Received first nursing diploma in the U.S.
Richards completed her training and received the first nursing diploma in the U.S.
View details1876
Literature
Birth of Harriet Shaw Weaver
Harriet Shaw Weaver was born on September 1, 1876, in Cheshire, England.
View details1876
Science
Founded the Physics Department at Wellesley College
Whiting established Wellesley College's physics department in 1876, one of the earliest collegiate physics programs led by a woman in the U.S.
View details1876
Science
Presentation at the 9th International Congress for Ancient Archaeology
Torma presents nearly one hundred Tordos artefacts at the 9th International Congress for Ancient Archaeology in Budapest.
View details1877
Science
Nickel analysis publication and AAAS recognition
Publishes research on nickel analysis in pyrrhotite, work that aids the nickel industry and leads to her recognition as an AAAS Fellow.
View details1884
Science
Creation of first U.S. sanitary engineering laboratory
Begins instructing in sanitary chemistry at MIT and establishes the first U.S. sanitary engineering laboratory.
View details1884
Science
First woman on editorial board of Acta Mathematica
Kovalevskaya joined board of Acta Mathematica, a major scientific journal.
View details1886
Arts
Birth in Capivari, São Paulo
Tarsila do Amaral was born in São Paulo, marking the beginning of a legacy in Brazilian modernism.
View details1887
Activism
Speaks at Kansas Woman Suffrage Association state convention
In fall 1887, Susanna M. Salter spoke at the Kansas Woman Suffrage Association state convention with Susan B. Anthony and other leaders, symbolizing women’s political capability.
View details1888
Activism
Begins studies at Perkins Institution for the Blind
In September 1888, Helen Keller begins studying at the Perkins Institution in Boston.
View details1889
Activism
Founding of Hull-House, the first U.S. settlement house
Addams and Ellen Gates Starr founded Hull-House in Chicago, the first settlement house in the United States.
View details1889
Activism
Foundation of the Sharada Sadan
Pandita Ramabai founded Sharada Sadan in 1889, a school for widows.
View details1890
Science
Marriage to Andrew Dickson White
Helen Magill married Andrew Dickson White, first president of Cornell University, in September 1890.
View details1892
Science
Publication of "A New Theory of Light Sensation"
Ladd-Franklin published her seminal paper proposing an evolutionary theory of color vision.
View details1895
Science
Founded first geology department at a women's college (Bryn Mawr)
At the start of the 1895-96 academic year, Bascom established the first geology department at a U.S. women's college, at Bryn Mawr.
View details1899
Arts
Company Debut at Mariinsky Theatre
Pavlova debuted at the Mariinsky Theatre, marking her entry into the professional ballet world.
View details1900
Science
Launch of C. M. Clark Publishing Company
In September 1900, Clark launched the C. M. Clark Publishing Company from her Massachusetts Avenue store in Boston.
View details1907
Medicine
First identified asymptomatic typhoid carrier in the United States
Mary Mallon was identified as the first asymptomatic typhoid carrier in the United States by September 1, 1907.
View details1908
Politics
Promulgation of Constitutional Reform Timetable
Cixi’s Qing government outlines constitutional reforms, planned parliament.
View details1911
Aviation
Women’s 60‑mile long-distance flight record
Scott flies 60 miles from Mineola, setting a pioneering women’s long-distance flight record.
View details1912
Literature
Hospitalization for tuberculosis in San Antonio
Porter was hospitalized with tuberculosis in a San Antonio sanatorium, a near-fatal illness that later inspired her story "Pale Horse, Pale Rider."
View details1912
1912
Literature
Publication of First Collection "Evening"
First poetry collection "Evening" published on September 1, 1912.
View details1914
Exploration
First woman journalist allowed in French trenches during WWI
During WWI, Adams was the first woman journalist in French front-line trenches.
View details1917
Activism
Awarded the Military Medal for bravery under fire
Sadie Bonnell, a British First Aid Nursing Yeomanry (FANY) ambulance driver, was awarded the Military Medal for her courage while evacuating wounded soldiers under shellfire near the Western Front.
View details1917
Science
Offers to organize women sharpshooters for World War I
Annie Oakley offered to raise and train a regiment of women sharpshooters for U.S. military service during World War I.
View details1918
Aviation
Appointed Commandant of the Women's Royal Air Force
Gwynne-Vaughan became Commandant of the newly formed Women's Royal Air Force, leading it until its disbandment.
View details1919
Science
Birth of Hilda Hänchen
Hilda Hänchen, the German physicist who co-discovered the Goos–Hänchen effect, was born on this day in Germany.
View details1925
Science
Clarke calculator patent granted
Patent granted for the Clarke calculator (US 1,552,113).
View details1928
Arts
First solo exhibition at Grosvenor Galleries
Held her first solo exhibition at Grosvenor Galleries, featuring works like 'The Bridge in Curve'.
View details1936
Science
Publishes landmark paper 'P′' proposing Earth's solid inner core
Lehmann published her seminal paper 'P′' in September 1936, providing the first evidence that Earth has a solid inner core within a liquid outer core.
View details1936
Activism
Begins leadership at Mississippi Synodical College
Begins work as dean and professor of Bible at Mississippi Synodical College in Holly Springs, launching her formal career in higher Christian education.
View details1937
Literature
Publication of "Undersea" in The Atlantic Monthly
Carson's essay "Undersea" was published in The Atlantic Monthly, marking her first national publication.
View details1938
Activism
Professor of Bible at Montreat College
Joins Montreat College near Black Mountain, North Carolina, as professor of Bible, strengthening her role as a leading Presbyterian educator.
View details1939
Politics
First Director of the Auxiliary Territorial Service
At the outbreak of WWII, Gwynne-Vaughan became the first Director of the ATS, overseeing over 200,000 women with a rank equivalent to major-general.
View details1939
Exploration
Recruited as Britain's first female special agent of WWII
After Germany invaded Poland, Skarbek fled to Britain and proposed a daring plan to enter occupied Poland via Hungary, beginning her service as a secret agent.
View details1940
Literature
Birth of Annie Ernaux
Annie Thérèse Blanche Duchesne (later Annie Ernaux) is born in Lillebonne, Normandy, France, into a working-class café-grocery family.
View details1941
Literature
Becomes the 'Voice of Leningrad' on besieged city radio
As the Nazi Siege of Leningrad began, Berggolts started broadcasting daily on Leningrad Radio, sustaining civilian morale with poetry and personal reflections.
View details1942
Activism
Commences ethics studies at Yale Divinity School
Begins graduate study in Christian ethics at Yale Divinity School under Reinhold Niebuhr, leading toward her PhD.
View details1943
Science
Elected First Woman Vice President of IBM
Ruth Leach became the first woman to serve as a vice president of IBM, one of the earliest women to hold such a rank in a major American corporation.
View details1944
Activism
Long-term professorship at PSCE begins
Begins a sixteen‑year professorship in applied Christianity and Christian nurture at the Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond.
View details1949
Politics
Commissioned as a second lieutenant
Clarke graduates from WAC Officer Candidate School and is commissioned as a second lieutenant.
View details1950
Arts
Helen Schaefer Gibson becomes First Lady of Washington College
Helen Schaefer Gibson begins a two‑decade tenure as First Lady of Washington College, shaping the college’s social and public life.
View details1951
Activism
Death of Nellie McClung in Victoria, British Columbia
Nellie McClung died on September 1, 1951, at her home in Victoria, British Columbia, at age 77.
View details1952
Science
First successful implementation of replica plating
Lederberg's paper described the first successful implementation of replica plating.
View details1956
Science
First woman to chair a department at Harvard
First woman to chair a department in Harvard’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
View details1958
Science
Joined MIT System Dynamics Group
Fox joined the System Dynamics Group at MIT, collaborating on the DYNAMO language.
View details1958
Science
Founds the West Indian Gazette, Britain's first major Black newspaper
Claudia Jones founded the West Indian Gazette in September 1958, Britain's first major Black community newspaper, amid the Notting Hill race riots.
View details1958
Arts
First woman professor of sculpture at UNAM’s National School of Fine Arts
Catlett became the first woman professor of sculpture at UNAM.
View details1960
Science
First woman full professor in University of Michigan Botany Department
Elzada Clover was promoted to full professor in the University of Michigan Botany Department, becoming its first woman to hold that rank.
View details1962
Science
Meritorious Civilian Service Award for Project 29V
Received a Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award for programming the NORC in the astronomical Project 29V, establishing Pluto's motion relative to Neptune.
View details1962
Literature
Publishes "The Moral Disarmament of Betty Coed" in Esquire
Esquire publishes Steinem's early feature on the 'contraceptive revolution' and changing sexual attitudes on college campuses.
View details1968
Arts
Introduction of Clinique brand
Clinique, an allergy-tested brand, launched on September 1, 1968.
View details1971
Science
Commercial Delivery of the Data Secretary — First Computerized Word Processor
Redactron delivered usable Data Secretary word-processing systems, marking commercial deployment of one of the first computerized standalone word processors.
View details1971
Science
Began long-term orangutan field study in Indonesia
Began orangutan fieldwork in Indonesia, launching the longest continuous study of wild orangutans.
View details1975
Activism
One of the first women to hold a seat on the NYSE
Benham was one of the first women to hold a seat on the NYSE.
View details1975
Politics
Signing of Connecticut Freedom of Information Act by Governor Ella Grasso
Governor Grasso signs Connecticut’s Freedom of Information Act, strengthening open-government and public access to records.
View details1976
Arts
"Love and Affection" becomes first UK Top-10 hit
Armatrading's single "Love and Affection" reaches the UK Singles Chart Top 10, her breakthrough commercial hit.
View details1976
Literature
Publication of "The Taste of Country Cooking"
Edna Lewis published her landmark cookbook, introducing the seasonal Black rural Southern foodways of Freetown, Virginia to a national readership.
View details1977
Science
First female physics professor at University of Wisconsin–Madison
Wu became one of the first female professors at the UW‑Madison's Physics Department.
View details1978
Sports
Retirement from coaching at Delta State
Margaret Wade retired from coaching after the 1977–78 season with a career record of 157–23 and a 51-game winning streak.
View details1980
Arts
Release of Wizard and the Princess with full‑color graphics
Roberta Williams released Wizard and the Princess with full‑color graphics.
View details1983
Science
Publication of Gorillas in the Mist
Fossey published her landmark book detailing 18 years of field research on mountain gorillas, raising global awareness of their plight.
View details1985
Science
Appointment as professor at University of Michigan EECS
Conway joined the University of Michigan as professor of electrical engineering and computer science.
View details1988
Arts
Release of King’s Quest IV with first female protagonist in a graphic adventure
King’s Quest IV was released, featuring the first female protagonist in a graphic adventure series.
View details1988
Science
Publishes high-resolution insulin structure
Hodgkin published a refined, high-resolution three-dimensional structure of insulin, expanding on her 1969 determination.
View details1989
Science
Joined Brown University Mathematics Faculty
Jill Pipher joined Brown University as a faculty member in the Department of Mathematics.
View details1991
Arts
Helen Schaefer Gibson awarded honorary Doctor of Fine Arts by Washington College
Helen Schaefer Gibson receives an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts at Washington College’s Fall Convocation, honoring her service as First Lady.
View details1992
Literature
Service as U.S. Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry (1992–1993)
September 1992: Van Duyn begins her 1992–1993 term as U.S. Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry at the Library of Congress.
View details1995
1996
Science
Miracle Mop National Infomercial
Joy Mangano's Miracle Mop was featured in a national infomercial in 1996, boosting its popularity.
View details1998
Science
Named professor emerita at University of Michigan
Lynn Conway retired and was named professor emerita of electrical engineering and computer science at the University of Michigan.
View details1999
Science
Founds Bedford Stem Cell Research Foundation
Ann Kiessling founded the Bedford Stem Cell Research Foundation (now Bedford Research Foundation), an independent nonprofit lab for stem cell and reproductive biology research.
View details2000
Arts
Joined ABT Studio Company
Misty Copeland joined American Ballet Theatre’s Studio Company.
View details2000
Science
Appointed Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator
Bertozzi was named an HHMI Investigator in 2000, a prestigious position supporting her innovative research program in chemical biology.
View details2001
2004
Science
Poisoned on flight en route to Beslan
Fell violently ill after apparent poisoning aboard a flight to Rostov-on-Don while traveling to cover the Beslan school hostage crisis.
View details2004
Science
Named among the original 100 Great Black Britons
In September 2004, Claudia Jones was included in the inaugural 100 Great Black Britons list for her lasting legacy in Black British history.
View details2005
Science
Elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
Bertozzi was elected a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2005, recognizing her pioneering chemical biology research.
View details2007
Sports
World Championships 4x100m relay gold
Williams helped the U.S. win gold in the women's 4 × 100-meter relay at the World Championships.
View details2010
Politics
Profiled in 'The Changing Face of Monetary Policy' (Richmond Fed)
The Richmond Fed's Econ Focus publication profiled Horn as the first woman Fed Bank president and her leadership during the Ohio S&L crisis.
View details2011
Science
Founding Director of ICERM
Jill Pipher became the founding director of the Institute for Computational and Experimental Research in Mathematics (ICERM) at Brown University.
View details2014
Activism
Influence of Wilcox’s work on broader Indigenous language revitalization
Her work inspired other tribes to pursue language revitalization efforts.
View details2014
Activism
Public recognition of Wilcox’s self-taught digital work to preserve Wukchumni
Wilcox taught herself digital skills to document Wukchumni, garnering wide attention.
View details2014
Arts
Release of "Marie's Dictionary" film
The short film "Marie's Dictionary" was released, documenting Wilcox’s creation of the first written Wukchumni dictionary.
View details2014
Arts
First Black woman to lead ABT Swan Lake on Australia tour
She made history as the first Black woman to perform the lead in ABT’s "Swan Lake."
View details2014
Science
Joined Stanford University faculty
Bertozzi joined Stanford University as the Anne T. and Robert M. Bass Professor, moving her research program from UC Berkeley.
View details2014
Science
Named the only New Zealander on the TeenBusiness global Top Twenty list
In September 2014, Ayla Hutchinson was named to the worldwide TeenBusiness Top Twenty list, the only teen entrepreneur from New Zealand selected that year.
View details2014
Aviation
Begins flying as first female Blue Angels pilot
Katie begins flying with the Blue Angels as the first female pilot.
View details2014
Activism
Completion and recognition of the first written Wukchumni dictionary
Wilcox created a 6,000-word Wukchumni dictionary, the first written record of the language.
View details2017
Arts
Retirement from opera performance
Announced retirement from opera performance after a career spanning more than four decades.
View details2018
Arts
"Mass Transit" Debuts as Booker's Largest Urban Public Art Project and First Community-Specific Commission
"Mass Transit" launched in Indianapolis as Chakaia Booker's largest outdoor urban exhibition and her first project composed of works made specifically for a community.
View details2021
Science
Start of service as federal deputy in the Congress of Mexico
Began her 2021–2024 term as federal deputy in the Congress of Mexico on September 1, 2021.
View details2025
Arts
First woman music director of a major West Coast orchestra (Seattle Symphony)
Zhang became the first woman to serve as music director of a major West Coast orchestra, leading Seattle Symphony.
View details