1768
Science
First smallpox variolation in Russia
Catherine undergoes smallpox inoculation herself, becoming the first person variolated in Russia to demonstrate its safety to her subjects.
View detailsThis Day
23October
29 indexed achievements across recorded history.
1813
Literature
Marriage to David Hale
Sarah Josepha Buell marries lawyer David Hale in Newport, New Hampshire, beginning a brief but formative intellectual partnership.
View details1850
Science
First National Woman's Rights Convention Begins
Stanton helped organize the first National Woman's Rights Convention, which opened in Worcester, Massachusetts.
View details1850
Activism
Primary organizer of the First National Woman’s Rights Convention
Lucy Stone organizes the First National Woman's Rights Convention in Worcester, Massachusetts.
View details1851
Activism
Speaks at first Worcester Woman’s Rights Convention
On October 23, 1851, Sojourner Truth spoke at the first Worcester Woman’s Rights Convention.
View details1854
Arts
First public performance of Brahms by any performer
Clara premiered works of Brahms in Leipzig.
View details1883
Activism
Founds the World’s Woman’s Christian Temperance Union
Frances Willard founds the World’s WCTU in Chicago.
View details1894
Sports
Belle Moore's Birthday
Belle Moore was born on October 23, 1894, in Glasgow, Scotland.
View details1905
Sports
Birth of Gertrude Ederle in New York City
Gertrude Caroline Ederle was born on October 23, 1905, in New York City, the daughter of German immigrants.
View details1910
Aviation
First woman to fly publicly in America
Scott debuts with the Curtiss Exhibition Team at Fort Wayne, first woman to fly publicly at a U.S. air meet.
View details1912
1918
Activism
Death of Agnes Weston
Agnes Weston died on 23 October 1918 in Devonport, Plymouth; she was given a full naval funeral, an extraordinary honor for a woman.
View details1923
Arts
Recorded 'Shorty George' and 'Up the Country Blues' for OKeh Records
Wallace cut her first commercial recordings for OKeh Records in New York, launching her career as a nationally recorded classic blues singer.
View details1934
Aviation
First woman to pilot a balloon to the stratosphere and women's altitude record
Piloting the hydrogen balloon Century of Progress from Ford Airport over Lake Erie, Piccard reached about 57,579 feet, setting records.
View details1934
Aviation
First husband-and-wife stratospheric flight and technical firsts during Century of Progress ascent
Piccard and her husband achieved the first husband-and-wife team flight and technical innovations during the Century of Progress flight.
View details1934
Aviation
First fully controlled stratospheric balloon flight in the United States
The Century of Progress ascent was the first stratospheric flight in the U.S. where a balloon remained under control the entire flight.
View details1942
Activism
Birth of Anita Roddick
Anita Roddick was born on October 23, 1942, in Littlehampton, England.
View details1957
Politics
First monarch of Canada to open a parliamentary session
Opened the Canadian Parliament session, a first for a monarch.
View details1972
1978
Arts
Death of Maybelle Carter
Maybelle Carter died on October 23, 1978, leaving a rich musical legacy.
View details1982
Activism
Mona's Arrest
On 23 October 1982, Mona was arrested at her home by Revolutionary Guards.
View details1989
Activism
Charles Stuart's false 911 report following Carol's shooting
Charles Stuart called 911 falsely claiming a Black carjacker shot him and Carol, triggering a racially charged manhunt across Boston.
View details1989
Medicine
Emergency cesarean delivery of Christopher Stuart
Hours after the shooting, Carol's son Christopher was delivered via emergency cesarean section at Brigham and Women's Hospital.
View details1989
Activism
Shooting of Carol DiMaiti Stuart in Mission Hill
Pregnant Carol Stuart was shot in the head by her husband Charles Stuart in their car in Boston's Mission Hill area after a childbirth class.
View details1992
Arts
First film directed, 'This Is My Life'
Ephron directed her first film, marking a directorial debut with 'This Is My Life'.
View details1999
Arts
Southern Foodways Alliance Lifetime Achievement Award
The Southern Foodways Alliance presented Edna Lewis with its inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award, honoring her trailblazing career.
View details2003
Sports
Afro‑Asian Games distance freestyle medals
Takes silver in the 800 m and bronze in the 400 m freestyle at the Afro‑Asian Games on 23 October 2003 against able‑bodied swimmers.
View details2021
Sports
Wins second W Series championship
Chadwick clinched her second W Series title at Circuit of the Americas.
View details2023
Politics
Proclaimed Unitary Opposition Candidate
On October 23, 2023, María Corina Machado was officially proclaimed as the unitary opposition presidential candidate.
View details