1831
Literature
Birth of Kate Harrington
Kate Harrington was born on September 20, 1831, in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania.
View detailsThis Day
20September
19 indexed achievements across recorded history.
1868
Science
Enrollment at Vassar College
Ellen Swallow enrolls at Vassar College, beginning formal studies in chemistry after saving tuition through tutoring and housework.
View details1884
Science
First woman to lead services in an American synagogue
Julie Rosewald led services at Temple Emanu-El in San Francisco as 'Cantor Soprano,' becoming the first known woman to lead an American synagogue service.
View details1892
Science
Patent granted for combined cooking and hot-water-heating stove
U.S. Patent No. 482,772 was granted to Wilcox for a combined cooking and hot-water-heating stove.
View details1896
Literature
Publication of "The Country of the Pointed Firs"
Sarah Orne Jewett's "The Country of the Pointed Firs" was published on September 20, 1896.
View details1902
Literature
Born in Hull, Yorkshire
Florence Margaret Smith, who would become known as Stevie Smith, was born in Hull, England.
View details1920
Science
Publication of The Age of Innocence
Wharton's novel The Age of Innocence was published, later winning her the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.
View details1931
Science
Death of Joan Beauchamp Procter
Joan Beauchamp Procter died in London on 20 September 1931 at the age of 34, following a long struggle with chronic illness.
View details1972
Arts
Death of Dorothy Wright Liebes
Dorothy Wright Liebes died on September 20, 1972, at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City at age 74, ending a career that shaped midcentury American textile design.
View details1973
Sports
Wins the 'Battle of the Sexes'
Defeats Bobby Riggs in straight sets before 30,000 spectators in the Houston Astrodome.
View details1984
Science
Nature paper on dorsal-ventral patterning and maternal mRNA
Co-authored with Kathryn Anderson a Nature paper showing dorsal-ventral pattern information is stored as maternal mRNA in the Drosophila embryo.
View details1986
Arts
Premiere of "Life with Lucy"
Lucille Ball's final sitcom, "Life with Lucy," premiered on ABC, marking her last starring role in a television series.
View details1992
Science
Completion of STS-47 mission and return to Earth
Jemison returned to Earth aboard Endeavour on Sept 20, 1992, completing STS-47 after nearly 8 days in space.
View details1992
Exploration
Completion of STS-47 Space Shuttle Mission
Mae Jemison completed her historic STS-47 mission after nearly eight days in orbit, logging over 190 hours in space.
View details2002
Arts
Death of Joan Littlewood
Joan Littlewood died on September 20, 2002, leaving a theatrical legacy.
View details2004
Sports
Athens 2004 Paralympic gold in 50 m freestyle S9
Takes 50 m freestyle S9 gold at the Athens 2004 Paralympics, adding to her multi‑gold medal campaign.
View details2014
Politics
Death of Takako Doi
Takako Doi died on September 20, 2014, in Tokyo, Japan, at the age of 85.
View details2015
Arts
First Black woman to win Emmy for Lead Actress in a Drama Series
On September 20, 2015, Viola Davis became the first Black woman to win the Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, for 'How to Get Away with Murder.'
View details2023
Science
Portrait unveiled in Agents of Change series
The Virginia Museum of History & Culture unveiled Gladys West's portrait in its Agents of Change series, honoring her role in developing GPS.
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