790
Politics
Irene loses control to Constantine VI
In October 790, Irene was displaced from power when Constantine VI took over, showing both the limits and resilience of her authority.
View detailsThis Day
31October
29 indexed achievements across recorded history.
802
Politics
Deposition of Irene and accession of Nikephoros I
On 31 October 802, Irene is overthrown in a palace coup and replaced by Nikephoros I, ending her reign as sole Byzantine emperor.
View details802
Politics
Deposition and exile
Irene was deposed and exiled in October 802, ending her unprecedented reign as the first woman to rule Byzantium alone.
View details802
1711
Science
Birth of Laura Bassi
Laura Maria Caterina Bassi was born in Bologna, in the Papal States (now Italy).
View details1761
Activism
Birth of Ann Moore, the 'Fasting-Woman of Tutbury'
Ann Moore, later notorious as the 'fasting-woman of Tutbury,' was baptized at St. Peter's Church, Derby, with a recorded birth date of 31 October 1761.
View details1860
Science
Birth of Juliette Gordon Low
Juliette Magill Gordon was born in Savannah, Georgia, to William Washington Gordon II and Eleanor 'Nellie' Kinzie Gordon.
View details1860
Activism
Birth of Juliette Gordon Low
Juliette Gordon Low was born in Savannah, Georgia, founder of the Girl Scouts USA.
View details1876
Literature
Birthday of Natalie Clifford Barney
Natalie Clifford Barney was born on October 31, 1876, in Dayton, Ohio.
View details1880
Literature
Birth of Julia Peterkin
Julia Peterkin was born on October 31, 1880, in Laurens County, South Carolina.
View details1883
Arts
Birth of Marie Laurencin in Paris
Marie Laurencin was born in Paris, France, on 31 October 1883, later becoming a leading painter of the Cubist and modernist avant-garde.
View details1884
Arts
Death of Marie Bashkirtseff in Paris
Marie Bashkirtseff died in Paris on October 31, 1884, of tuberculosis at the age of 25.
View details1903
Science
Birth of Joan Robinson
Joan Violet Maurice was born in Camberley, Surrey, England, later becoming one of the most influential economists of the 20th century.
View details1926
Arts
Birth of Shirley Dinsdale
Shirley Dinsdale was born in San Francisco, California, United States.
View details1927
Arts
Release of My Best Girl
Mary Pickford's final silent film, 'My Best Girl,' is released.
View details1942
Science
Landed in France as SOE agent
Odette Sansom was landed by felucca on the French Mediterranean coast to join the Special Operations Executive's SPINDLE network as a courier.
View details1947
Science
Birth of Jennifer Hosten
Jennifer Hosten was born in St. George's, Grenada, later becoming a radio announcer, beauty queen, diplomat, and author.
View details1949
Politics
First woman to serve as U.S. ambassador
By October 31, 1949, Eugenie Anderson had officially taken office as U.S. ambassador to Denmark, becoming the first American woman to serve as chief of mission with ambassadorial rank.
View details1950
1960
Arts
Newport Folk Festival Appearance
Cotten performed at the Newport Folk Festival on October 31, 1960, amplifying her public presence.
View details1964
Science
Death of Nettie Palmer
Nettie Palmer died on 31 October 1964, having spent decades as a pioneering critic and champion of Australian literature.
View details1978
Sports
First LPGA Player to Win Rookie of the Year, Player of the Year, and Vare Trophy in One Season
First to win LPGA Rookie of the Year, Player of the Year, and Vare Trophy in one season.
View details1979
Politics
End of tenure as U.S. Secretary of Commerce
Ends her tenure as U.S. Secretary of Commerce, concluding a groundbreaking period of female and economist leadership in the department.
View details1980
Science
Death of Elizebeth Smith Friedman
Elizebeth Smith Friedman passed away on October 31, 1980, in Plainfield, New Jersey.
View details1984
Politics
Assassination of Indira Gandhi
Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards.
View details1997
Politics
End of tenure as Secretary of the Air Force
Widnall completed her role as Secretary of the Air Force.
View details2004
Sports
Team silver medal, 2004 Women’s Chess Olympiad
Krush helped the U.S. women's team win silver at the 2004 Olympiad.
View details2005
Literature
Death of Amrita Pritam
Amrita Pritam passed away on October 31, 2005, in New Delhi, India.
View details2013
Science
Louisa Gross Horwitz Prize for Biology or Biochemistry
Louisa Gross Horwitz Prize ceremony at Columbia University honoring Moser, Moser, and O’Keefe for foundational work on spatial representation.
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