1179
Science
Death at Rupertsberg near Bingen am Rhein
Hildegard of Bingen died at Rupertsberg monastery; later tradition reports visions of luminous streams crossing the sky at her death.
View detailsThis Day
17September
30 indexed achievements across recorded history.
1783
Exploration
Birth of Nadezhda Durova
Nadezhda Andreyevna Durova was born in Kyiv, in the Russian Empire, to a hussar officer father and a mother who resented her for not being a son.
View details1806
Exploration
Escapes home disguised as a man to join the Russian cavalry
Durova cut her hair, donned Cossack clothing, and fled her family to enlist in a Russian cavalry regiment under a male identity, beginning her secret military career.
View details1900
Medicine
Galveston flood relief
Barton arrived in Galveston after the flood and directed Red Cross relief supplies, reinforcing the organization’s domestic disaster-response role.
View details1902
Activism
Birth of Bea Miles
Bea Miles was born on September 17, 1902, in Sydney, Australia.
View details1904
Activism
Death of Kartini
Raden Ajeng Kartini died on September 17, 1904, at the age of 25.
View details1907
Activism
Official decree on women's education
Cixi approves formal women’s education, a groundbreaking first for China.
View details1907
Arts
Death of Edmonia Lewis in London
Edmonia Lewis died of Bright's disease at Hammersmith Infirmary in London on September 17, 1907.
View details1907
Arts
Death in London from Bright’s disease
Edmonia Lewis passes away in London, buried in St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Cemetery.
View details1909
1918
Activism
Early promotion to sergeant
Opha May Johnson was promoted to sergeant on September 17, 1918, the first woman to achieve this rank in the USMC.
View details1936
1942
Arts
Death of Cecilia Beaux
Cecilia Beaux passed away on September 17, 1942, leaving a profound impact on the arts.
View details1943
Activism
Parachuted into France as SOE wireless operator
Beekman parachuted into occupied France on the night of 17/18 September 1943 to serve as wireless operator for the SOE's 'Musician' circuit.
View details1948
Science
Death of Ruth Benedict in New York City
Ruth Benedict died on September 17, 1948, in New York City from a coronary thrombosis, shortly after being elected president of the American Anthropological Association.
View details1962
Arts
Publication of Joyce Chen Cook Book
Joyce Chen's first cookbook was published, popularizing Chinese cuisine.
View details1963
Arts
Solo Exhibition at Iolas Gallery, New York
De Lempicka held a significant exhibition reviving interest in her work.
View details1967
Sports
Beryl Burton Breaks Men's Record
On September 17, 1967, Burton broke the 12-hour time trial record, surpassing the men's record.
View details1972
Science
Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom
Lila Acheson Wallace and DeWitt Wallace received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Nixon for their philanthropic and publishing legacy.
View details1983
Arts
First Black Miss America crowned
Vanessa Williams was crowned Miss America 1984, the first Black woman to achieve this.
View details1985
1989
Arts
Final public performance at the Blue Note
Vaughan’s final performance at the Blue Note in NYC.
View details2005
Science
First Labour leader to win three consecutive elections
Clark led Labour to a third consecutive victory on 17 September 2005, becoming the first Labour leader to achieve this.
View details2006
Activism
Death of Dorothy C. Stratton
Dorothy Stratton died in West Lafayette, Indiana, at age 107, remembered as the first woman commissioned officer in U.S. Coast Guard history.
View details2006
Activism
Death of Dorothy Stratton
Dorothy Stratton passed away on September 17, 2006, leaving a legacy in military history.
View details2008
Sports
Five golds and world records at Beijing 2008 Paralympics
Won five gold medals in T54 events at Beijing 2008, setting two world records, and closed her Paralympic career with 21 total medals.
View details2016
Sports
Gold medal – Rio 2016 T54 800m
Wins gold in women’s T54 800m at the Rio 2016 Paralympics on 17 September 2016, completing four golds at the Games.
View details2018
Arts
Special career tribute at the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards
Betty White received a special on-air tribute at the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards, honoring her more than 80-year career in television.
View details2020
Science
Cell feature on Linda Buck’s olfactory receptor discovery
Cell Press publishes a feature article examining Linda Buck’s discovery of olfactory receptors and the factors behind its success.
View details2021
Arts
Feature on Sokari Douglas Camp’s work in The Art Newspaper
The Art Newspaper published a feature on Douglas Camp's sculptures, enhancing her global visibility.
View details