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October 3CalendarOctober 5
This Day
04October

30 indexed achievements across recorded history.


1745
Maria Theresa
Politics

Coronation as Holy Roman Empress

Crowned as Holy Roman Empress on October 4, 1745.

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Maria Theresa·World History - Maria Theresa
1836
Juliette Adam
Literature

Birth of Juliette Adam

Juliette Adam was born in Verberie, France, on October 4, 1836.

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Juliette Adam·Wikipedia: Juliette Adam
1870
Eliza Murfey
Science

Three journal-box and bearing patents granted in a single day (US 108,079–081)

Murfey received three patents on the same day for lubricated journal boxes and bearings used in railroad car axles.

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Eliza Murfey·US Patent 108,079 - Improvement in Car-Axle Boxes
1896
Dorothy Lawrence
Exploration

Birth of Dorothy Lawrence

Dorothy Lawrence was born on October 4, 1896, in Hendon, England.

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Dorothy Lawrence·Wikipedia: Dorothy Lawrence
1900
Margaret Ives Abbott
Sports

First American Woman Olympic Champion

Margaret Abbott won the women's golf tournament in the 1900 Paris Olympics, becoming the first American woman Olympic champion.

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Margaret Ives Abbott·Margaret Ives Abbott - Britannica
1902
Beryl Markham
Science

Born in Leicestershire, England

Beryl Markham (née Clutterbuck) was born on October 4, 1902, in Ashwell, Rutland (then Leicestershire), England.

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Beryl Markham
1908
Victoria Woodhull
Activism

Educational reform efforts in English village school

Victoria Woodhull reforms a village school in England.

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Victoria Woodhull·Chronicling America - Victoria Woodhull - LOC
1918
Mae West
Arts

Introducing the Shimmy Dance on Broadway

West introduces the shimmy dance in Sometime, marking her Broadway influence.

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Mae West·Mae West Biographical Timeline - PBS
1924
Nellie Tayloe Ross
Politics

Death and burial of Governor William Bradford Ross

Nellie Tayloe Ross attended the burial of her husband, Governor William Bradford Ross, following his death in office.

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Nellie Tayloe Ross·WyoHistory: Ambition and Achievement of Nellie Tayloe Ross
1930
Martha Gellhorn
Literature

Arrival in France to pursue journalism

Gellhorn sailed from New York on the SS Île de France and arrived in Le Havre, France, on October 4, 1930.

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Martha Gellhorn·HistoryNet: Martha Gellhorn, Writer, Warrior, Witness
1939
Pamela Harriman
Politics

Married Randolph Churchill, becoming daughter-in-law of Winston Churchill

Pamela Digby married Randolph Churchill on October 4, 1939, becoming Winston Churchill's daughter-in-law and entering the heart of wartime British power.

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Pamela Harriman·BBC Culture: Pamela Harriman, Churchill's secret weapon against the Nazis
1942
Johanna Siguroardottir
Politics

Birth in Reykjavík, Iceland

Born in Reykjavík, Iceland, later becoming a trade union activist and prime minister from 2009 to 2013.

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Johanna Siguroardottir·Encyclopaedia Britannica Biography of Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir
1943
Irena Iłłakowicz
Politics

Death of Irena Iłłakowicz

Irena Iłłakowicz was assassinated on October 4, 1943.

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Irena Iłłakowicz·4 października zginęła Irena Iłłakowiczowa - Wszystko Co Najważniejsze
1950
Mahalia Jackson
Arts

First gospel singer to perform at Carnegie Hall

Jackson performed at Carnegie Hall, widely recognized as the first gospel singer to appear there.

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Mahalia Jackson·The Gospel Coalition: 10 Things You Should Know About Mahalia Jackson
1951
Henrietta Lacks
Medicine

Death of Henrietta Lacks

Henrietta Lacks died of uremic poisoning from terminal cervical cancer at Johns Hopkins Hospital on October 4, 1951, aged 31.

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Henrietta Lacks·Henrietta Lacks - Wikipedia
1964
Dorothy Lawrence
Exploration

Death of Dorothy Lawrence

Dorothy Lawrence passed away on October 4, 1964, in London, at Friern Hospital.

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Dorothy Lawrence·Wikipedia: Dorothy Lawrence
1970
Catherine of Siena
Literature

Declared Doctor of the Church

Pope Paul VI declared Catherine of Siena a Doctor of the Church, one of the first women ever granted this title.

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Catherine of Siena·Saint Catherine of Siena - Britannica
1975
May Sutton
Science

Death of May Sutton

May Sutton Bundy died on October 4, 1975, in Santa Monica, California, at the age of 89.

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May Sutton·May Sutton - Wikipedia
1976
Barbara Walters
Science

First female co-anchor of a network evening newscast

On October 4, 1976, Walters became the first woman to co-anchor a major U.S. network evening newscast, alongside Harry Reasoner at ABC.

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Barbara Walters·NPR: Barbara Walters, 'Rulebreaker'
1988
Pearl Bailey
Activism

Presidential Medal of Freedom awarded by President Reagan

Pearl Bailey received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, from President Ronald Reagan.

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Pearl Bailey·Pearl Bailey - Wikipedia
2001
Maybelle Carter
Arts

Hall of Fame induction for Maybelle Carter

Maybelle Carter was inducted into the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame on October 4, 2001.

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Maybelle Carter·Bluegrass Hall of Fame - Maybelle Addington Carter
2001
Sara Carter
Arts

Induction into the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame

Sara Carter inducted into the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame with the Carter Family.

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Sara Carter·Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame: The Carter Family
2003
Stephanie Kwolek
Science

Induction into National Women’s Hall of Fame

Stephanie Kwolek was inducted for her work in polymer chemistry and Kevlar invention.

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Stephanie Kwolek·National Women's Hall of Fame - Inductee Stephanie Kwolek
2004
Linda B. Buck
Science

Announcement of Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for Linda B. Buck

Nobel Assembly announces Linda B. Buck as co-recipient of the 2004 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for work on olfactory receptors.

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Linda B. Buck·The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2004 – Press Release
2006
Tina Fey
Arts

NBC premiere of "30 Rock" created by and starring Tina Fey

"30 Rock," created by and starring Tina Fey, premieres, showcasing her talents.

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Tina Fey·Tina Fey - Pioneers of Television
2009
Mercedes Sosa
Science

Death of Mercedes Sosa in Buenos Aires

Mercedes Sosa died on October 4, 2009, in Buenos Aires at age 74 after multiple organ failure, following years of health struggles.

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Mercedes Sosa·Mercedes Sosa obituary - The Guardian
2015
Olga Tokarczuk
Literature

Nike Audience Award for "The Books of Jacob"

Received the Nike Audience Award for "The Books of Jacob" at the 2015 ceremony.

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Olga Tokarczuk·Olga Tokarczuk - Wikipedia
2015
Olga Tokarczuk
Literature

Nike Literary Award for "The Books of Jacob"

Olga Tokarczuk won the Nike Literary Award for her novel "The Books of Jacob."

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Olga Tokarczuk·Olga Tokarczuk - Wikipedia
2017
Jennifer Welter
Science

New York Post feature on Welter's journey to the NFL

The New York Post published a feature on Welter's journey from adversity to becoming the NFL's first female coach.

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Jennifer Welter·New York Post - This athlete beat homelessness to become the NFL's first female coach
2017
Cher
Science

CFDA Board of Directors' Tribute

Cher is honored with the CFDA Board of Directors' Tribute at the 2017 Fashion Awards.

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Cher·Cher - Wikipedia