1769
Politics
Opening of the Assignation Bank — Russia's first paper money
The Assignation Bank opens in St Petersburg and Moscow in November 1769, issuing Russia's first government paper currency.
View detailsThis Day
01November
71 indexed achievements across recorded history.
1797
Science
Begins 'Sense and Sensibility' in narrative form
Around November 1797, Austen reworked an earlier epistolary draft into the narrative form that became 'Sense and Sensibility.'
View details1811
Science
Birth of Frances Miriam Berry Whitcher
Frances Miriam Berry was born in Whitestown/Whitesboro, Oneida County, New York, daughter of tavern owner Lewis Berry and Elizabeth (Wells) Berry.
View details1811
Science
Publication of 'Sense and Sensibility'
In November 1811, Austen's first published novel, 'Sense and Sensibility,' appeared anonymously in London as 'By a Lady.'
View details1817
Literature
Publication of History of a Six Weeks’ Tour
Mary Shelley’s travel narrative is published and becomes her first print work.
View details1824
Activism
First diplomas awarded to young women at Derry
Six diplomas awarded to young women in Derry, NH, where Mary Lyon taught; described as the first diplomas conferred on women.
View details1835
Science
Honorary membership of Bristol Phil. Society
Received honorary membership from the Bristol Philosophical and Literary Society in 1835.
View details1853
Science
Completion of three-volume Photographs of British Algae
Atkins completed her three-volume Photographs of British Algae, the first multi-volume book illustrated with photographs, after a decade of work.
View details1861
Science
Writes the lyrics to 'The Battle Hymn of the Republic'
Howe composed the iconic Civil War anthem after visiting Union Army camps near Washington, D.C., inspired by the marching soldiers' cadence.
View details1865
Science
Admitted to senior class at Ohio College of Dental Surgery
After years of rejection due to her sex, Lucy Hobbs was admitted to the senior class of the Ohio College of Dental Surgery in Cincinnati in November 1865.
View details1868
Activism
Co-founding of the New England Woman Suffrage Association
Lucy Stone co-founded the New England Woman Suffrage Association in November 1868.
View details1881
Science
History of Woman Suffrage, Volume I Published
Stanton, Anthony, and Gage published the first volume of History of Woman Suffrage, the movement's standard documentary history.
View details1883
Science
First female dean of a British medical school
Garrett Anderson became dean of the London School of Medicine for Women, the first woman to hold such a position in Britain.
View details1889
Arts
Birth of Hannah Höch in Gotha, Germany
Hannah Höch, pioneering Dada photomontage artist, was born in Gotha, Thuringia, Germany.
View details1898
Arts
Birth of Sippie Wallace in Houston, Texas
Born Beulah Belle Thomas in Houston, Texas, one of thirteen children of a church deacon; she would become one of the great blues singers of the 1920s.
View details1900
Science
Publication of first C. M. Clark title, "Quincy Adams Sawyer"
In November 1900, Clark's company released its first book, "Quincy Adams Sawyer and Mason's Corner Folks," which she aggressively marketed.
View details1901
Science
Joins The Young Buffalo Show
After recovering from her injuries, Annie Oakley joined the rival Young Buffalo Show as its star sharpshooter.
View details1902
Literature
Standard Oil exposé begins serialization in McClure's Magazine
Tarbell's landmark investigative series on Standard Oil began publication in McClure's Magazine, launching modern investigative journalism.
View details1906
1906
Literature
Marriage to John Henry Koontz
Porter married John Henry Koontz, a salesman, in Lufkin, Texas; the unhappy marriage ended in divorce years later.
View details1910
Literature
Publication of 'The Mysteries and Cruelties of the Tariff'
Tarbell published an essay critiquing the U.S. protective tariff system, broadening her Progressive-era economic commentary.
View details1912
Aviation
Record-setting Altitude and Aerobatic Feats
Set record for altitude and aerobatic feats, becoming an aviatrix-record holder in November 1912.
View details1914
Aviation
Commissioned as World's First Female Military Pilot
Commissioned as the world's first female military pilot in November 1914.
View details1915
Activism
Led mass demonstration culminating in the Glasgow Rent Strikes victory
Barbour led thousands of tenants and shipyard/munitions workers in a mass march that forced the government to pass rent-control legislation.
View details1917
Arts
Margaret Burroughs is born
Birth of Margaret Taylor-Burroughs in St. Rose, Louisiana.
View details1919
Activism
End of Coast Guard service as Electrician’s Mate First Class
In November 1919, Hazard ended her service as Electrician’s Mate First Class.
View details1921
Literature
Awarded Prix de l'Académie Française
Wharton received the Prix de l'Académie Française, a prestigious French literary distinction.
View details1927
Literature
First Nobel Prize in Literature nomination
Wharton received her first of several nominations for the Nobel Prize in Literature.
View details1930
Literature
Publication of first book "Flowering Judas and Other Stories"
Porter's debut short-story collection, "Flowering Judas and Other Stories," was published by Harcourt, Brace, bringing her major critical acclaim.
View details1936
Literature
Publishes debut novel Novel on Yellow Paper
Smith's experimental first novel, written in a stream-of-consciousness style, became a surprise literary success and established her distinctive voice.
View details1942
Activism
Relocation to London to work with Free French
In November 1942 Simone Weil moves from New York to London to work with Free French authorities, drafting influential memoranda on France’s post‑war reconstruction.
View details1942
Arts
Beginning of wartime work for Vogue as photographer and correspondent
By 1 November 1942, Lee Miller is working as a war correspondent and photographer for Vogue, documenting wartime Britain and later Europe.
View details1943
Medicine
Begins meritorious front-line nursing service in Presenzano, Italy
Cook began a period of distinguished front-line nursing service in the Presenzano sector of Italy, serving in a U.S. Army field hospital near active combat.
View details1945
Arts
First dated one-woman exhibition
Held her first dated one-woman exhibition, marking a new phase of her practice.
View details1945
Science
Discharged from Army Air Forces service in Alaska
Esther Blake was discharged from WWII service in the Alaskan division of the Army Air Forces after about a year of duty.
View details1947
Activism
Publication of "The Everglades: River of Grass"
In November 1947, Douglas’s book "The Everglades: River of Grass" was published, redefining the Everglades as a vital "river of grass."
View details1950
Activism
Dogma of the Assumption of Mary defined
Pope Pius XII declared the Assumption of Mary as dogma.
View details1958
Science
China's First Monocrystalline Silicon Produced (November 1958)
Lin Lanying produced China's first monocrystalline silicon in November 1958, a foundational milestone for the nation's semiconductor industry.
View details1960
Science
First observation of toolmaking and tool use by wild chimpanzees
Goodall documented tool use by chimpanzees in Nov 1960, refuting previous beliefs.
View details1963
Science
Release of Second Album "Lesley Gore Sings of Mixed-Up Hearts"
Gore released her second studio album, "Lesley Gore Sings of Mixed-Up Hearts," on November 1, 1963.
View details1963
Literature
Co-founding The New York Review of Books
Elizabeth Hardwick co-founded The New York Review of Books in November 1963, shaping American literary culture.
View details1965
Arts
First mirror room: "Infinity Mirror Room – Phalli’s Field"
In November 1965, Kusama debuts her first mirror room, "Infinity Mirror Room – Phalli’s Field," at Richard Castellane Gallery in New York.
View details1966
Arts
Signs recording contract with Atlantic Records
Aretha Franklin signs with Atlantic, embracing a soul-and-gospel-based sound for future hits.
View details1973
Arts
Publication of autobiography "Estée: A Success Story"
Estée Lauder published her autobiography on November 1, 1973.
View details1973
Sports
Begins tenure as Delta State women's basketball head coach
Margaret Wade returned to Delta State as head coach, reviving the women's basketball program for the 1973–74 season.
View details1973
Arts
Queensland Art Gallery retrospective
Queensland Art Gallery retrospective, emphasizing her role in Australian modernism.
View details1973
Law
First woman leader of any circuit (Northern Circuit)
Heilbron was the first woman to lead any circuit on the English Bar, as leader of the Northern Circuit.
View details1974
Science
Participation in discovery of J/ψ particle and charm quark
Wu was part of the team that discovered the J/ψ particle, providing evidence of the charm quark.
View details1977
Science
First joint interview with Sadat and Begin
Walters arranged and conducted the first joint interview with Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli PM Menachem Begin in November 1977.
View details1978
Politics
First woman promoted to major general in the U.S. Army
Clarke becomes the first woman promoted to major general in the U.S. Army.
View details1978
Literature
National Book Award for Tiger Eyes
Judy Blume received the National Book Award in the Children's Literature category for her novel Tiger Eyes.
View details1982
Activism
Letter sent to Soviet leader Yuri Andropov
Ten-year-old Samantha Smith from Maine wrote to Soviet leader Yuri Andropov asking about the possibility of nuclear war.
View details1985
Science
First woman to win the Miyake Prize for geochemistry
Saruhashi became the first woman to receive the Miyake Prize for geochemistry, named after her mentor Yasuo Miyake.
View details1986
Arts
Death of Sippie Wallace in Detroit, Michigan
Sippie Wallace died in Detroit, Michigan, on November 1, 1986, her 88th birthday, closing out a career spanning more than six decades of blues performance.
View details1987
Sports
First woman on a Harlem Globetrotters world tour
Joins the Washington Generals on a world tour, becoming the first woman ever on a Harlem Globetrotters world tour.
View details1989
Activism
Died in Philadelphia
Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander died on November 1, 1989, in Philadelphia after a lifetime of pioneering achievements in law, economics, and civil rights.
View details1989
Politics
First woman U.S. Trade Representative; first person in both Cabinet and Cabinet-rank posts
Carla Hills was sworn in as the 10th U.S. Trade Representative, becoming the first woman in that role and first person to hold both Cabinet and Cabinet-rank positions.
View details1990
Arts
Launch of Martha Stewart Living magazine
Launch of Martha Stewart Living magazine in November 1990.
View details1994
Arts
"Ven Conmigo" certified gold, a first for a female Tejano artist
"Ven Conmigo" is certified gold by the RIAA, becoming the first Tejano album by a female artist to reach gold status.
View details2003
Literature
National Jewish Book Award for Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret
Blume received the National Jewish Book Award in Children's Literature for her classic novel about a Jewish-Christian preteen's coming of age.
View details2004
Arts
Praemium Imperiale award for painting
In November 2004, Kusama receives the Praemium Imperiale for painting from the Japan Art Association, recognizing her global artistic achievements.
View details2004
Science
Died in Melbourne aged 87
Dame Phyllis Frost died on 1 November 2004 in Melbourne, aged 87, after decades of community and prison reform service.
View details2005
Science
Becomes Facebook’s first female engineer
Joined Facebook as its first female engineer; a gender milestone.
View details2010
Arts
Induction into the California Hall of Fame
Sherry Lansing was inducted into the California Hall of Fame on November 1, 2010.
View details2010
Sports
First female head coach in NBA/NBA Development League system
Leads the Texas Legends, becoming the first female head coach of an NBA or NBA Development League team.
View details2012
Science
Induction into Philadelphia Music Alliance Walk of Fame
Jett was honored with induction into the Philadelphia Music Alliance Walk of Fame for her influence on rock music.
View details2014
Sports
Retirement announcement after Breeders’ Cup Distaff win
Soon after her Breeders’ Cup Distaff win, Rosie Napravnik announces her retirement from race riding on 2014-11-01 while pregnant with her first child.
View details2014
Activism
Escape from ISIS captivity and start of public activism
After escaping ISIS captivity around November 2014, Nadia Murad begins publicly advocating for Yazidi survivors.
View details2017
Activism
Assumes presidency of Sidaction
In November 2017, Barré-Sinoussi becomes president of Sidaction, a leading French HIV/AIDS advocacy and research-funding organization.
View details2019
Activism
2,600 Child Marriages Annulled
By November 2019, Kachindamoto had annulled over 2,600 child marriages.
View details2024
Activism
Named to BBC 100 Women 2024 list
BBC includes Nadia Murad in its 100 Women 2024 list, honoring her ongoing advocacy for survivors and minority rights.
View details