1750
Politics
Birth of son Daniel Parke Custis Jr.
Martha and Daniel Custis’s son Daniel was born on November 18, 1750, but died in childhood.
View detailsThis Day
18November
23 indexed achievements across recorded history.
1810
Arts
Birth of Asa Gray
Born in Sauquoit, New York, Asa Gray would become the most influential American botanist of the 19th century and a key early Darwin supporter.
View details1821
Arts
Death of Eleanor Coade
Eleanor Coade died on November 18, 1821, leaving a lasting legacy.
View details1874
Activism
First corresponding secretary of the WCTU
Willard becomes the first corresponding secretary of the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union.
View details1874
Science
Helps found the WCTU; becomes its first corresponding secretary
Willard helped found the Woman's Christian Temperance Union in Cleveland, Ohio, and became its first corresponding secretary.
View details1879
Science
Granted Patent for Locomotive Smoke-Abatement System
Mary Walton received US Patent 221,880 for a system that deflected locomotive chimney emissions through water, trapping sparks, ash, and gases.
View details1910
Activism
Took part in the suffragette protest known as 'Black Friday'
Sophia Duleep Singh joined the Women's Social and Political Union protest at Parliament on 18 November 1910, later known as 'Black Friday', where police violently confronted suffragettes.
View details1913
Science
Snap-on parasol patented
Patented a telescoping parasol with detachable, interchangeable snap-on cloth covers (US 1,079,240) — her first major commercial hit.
View details1928
Science
Participates in landmark Brancusi v. United States decision
Cline took part in the influential Brancusi v. United States decision, which recognized Constantin Brancusi's sculpture as duty-free art rather than a taxable manufactured object.
View details1929
Politics
First woman elected to the Belgian Senate for the Catholic Party from Antwerp
Maria Baers became one of the first women senators in Belgium, elected in 1929 representing the Catholic Party.
View details1936
Literature
Birth of Suzette Haden Elgin
Suzette Haden Elgin was born on November 18, 1936, in Missouri.
View details1953
Arts
Death of Ruth Crawford Seeger
Ruth Crawford Seeger passed away on November 18, 1953, in Chevy Chase, Maryland.
View details1955
Arts
First African American member of the Society of Washington Artists
Jones became the first African American accepted into the Society of Washington Artists, breaking a racial barrier in D.C.'s art community.
View details1977
Politics
Addresses first federally sponsored National Women's Conference
Steinem speaks at the historic National Women's Conference in Houston, the first and only U.S. government-sponsored conference on women's rights.
View details1985
Science
Born in Los Angeles, California
Allyson Michelle Felix born in Los Angeles, California, on November 18, 1985.
View details1990
Sports
First WTA Tour Championships title
Seles won her first WTA Tour Championships in New York, defeating Gabriela Sabatini.
View details1990
Science
Death of Beatrice Shilling
Beatrice Shilling passed away on November 18, 1990, leaving a legacy of innovation.
View details2001
Sports
Silver medal at 1st AIBA Women’s World Championship
Mary Kom won her first world-level silver in the 48 kg category.
View details2006
Science
Died in New York City
Phyllis Fraser Cerf Wagner died on November 18, 2006, in New York City at age 89.
View details2009
Arts
Death in New York City
Jeanne-Claude died in New York City from complications of a brain aneurysm at age 74, ending a 51-year artistic and personal partnership with Christo.
View details2018
Science
First Black woman to receive an honorary Academy Award
At the 10th Governors Awards, the Academy presented Tyson with an honorary Oscar, making her the first Black woman so honored.
View details2018
Science
Inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame
On the same evening as her honorary Oscar, Tyson was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame for her stage career.
View details2019
Arts
Coty announces purchase of majority stake in Kylie Cosmetics
Coty Inc. bought a 51% stake in Kylie Cosmetics.
View details