Est. TodayThis Day in Women's History
TodayCalendarWomenAbridgedSearchAdmin
This Day in Women's History

A research-grade almanac of firsts and sentinel achievements — indexed against every day of the year.

Explore
  • All 366 days
  • Women A–Z
  • Abridged biographies
  • Search
Editorial
  • Admin dashboard
  • Caption studio
© 2026 — Research-grade almanac of women's history.women.mtapnfc.com
December 2CalendarDecember 4
This Day
03December

15 indexed achievements across recorded history.


1748
Eva Ekeblad
Science

First woman elected to Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences

Elected the first woman member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.

View details
Eva Ekeblad·Tekniska museet – Eva Ekeblad
1777
Lydia Darragh
Politics

Warns American Forces of Planned Attack

Darragh warns Continental forces of British plans after eavesdropping.

View details
Lydia Darragh·American Battlefield Trust - Facebook
1838
Octavia Hill
Activism

Birth of Octavia Hill

Octavia Hill was born on December 3, 1838, in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, England.

View details
Octavia Hill·Encyclopedia.com: Hill, Octavia (1838–1912)
1842
Ellen Swallow Richards
Science

Birth of Ellen Swallow Richards

Birth of Ellen Henrietta Swallow (later Richards) in Dunstable, Massachusetts, to Peter and Fanny Swallow.

View details
Ellen Swallow Richards·Ellen Swallow Richards – Biography
1888
Sofia Kovalevskaya
Science

First woman corresponding member of the Russian Imperial Academy

Elected a corresponding member of the Russian Imperial Academy of Sciences.

View details
Sofia Kovalevskaya·Kovalevskaya and the Russian Academy of Sciences
1924
Mary E. Clarke
Politics

Birth of Mary E. Clarke

Mary E. Clarke, future Army pioneer and first woman major general, is born in Rochester, New York.

View details
Mary E. Clarke·Mary E. Clarke - Wikipedia
1930
Florence Parpart
Science

Death of Florence Parpart Layman

Florence Wilhelmina Parpart Layman, American inventor of the street sweeper and electric refrigerator attachment, died in Brooklyn, New York.

View details
Florence Parpart·Florence Parpart (German Wikipedia)
1937
Jacqueline Cochran
Aviation

First blind landing on instruments

Cochran made a totally blind landing on instruments, showcasing advanced pilot skill.

View details
Jacqueline Cochran·Falcon Foundation brochure on Jacqueline Cochran
1938
Sally Shlaer
Science

Birth of Sally Shlaer

Sally Shlaer was born on December 3, 1938.

View details
Sally Shlaer·Wikipedia: Sally Shlaer
1947
Irene Mayer Selznick
Arts

Produced 'A Streetcar Named Desire'

Irene produced the Broadway play 'A Streetcar Named Desire' on December 3, 1947.

View details
Irene Mayer Selznick·Internet Broadway Database: A Streetcar Named Desire
1965
Muna Lee
Literature

Death of Muna Lee

Muna Lee died on December 3, 1965, leaving behind a legacy as a poet, translator, and pioneering advocate for Pan-American women's rights.

View details
Muna Lee·Muna Lee (writer) - Wikipedia
1973
Bea Miles
Activism

Death of Bea Miles

Bea Miles passed away on December 3, 1973, at Callan Park Hospital.

View details
Bea Miles·Beatrice (Bea) Miles Biography - Australian Dictionary of Biography
1984
Virginia Lacy Jones
Science

Death of Virginia Lacy Jones

Virginia Lacy Jones died on December 3, 1984, leaving behind a transformative legacy in library science education.

View details
Virginia Lacy Jones·Wikipedia: Virginia Lacy Jones
2000
Gwendolym Brooks
Literature

Death of Gwendolyn Brooks

Gwendolyn Brooks dies of cancer in Chicago, Illinois.

View details
Gwendolym Brooks·Britannica - Gwendolyn Brooks
2011
Rachel Zimmerman
Science

Received Visionary Award

Awarded by the Women’s International Film and Television Showcase for her invention and outreach work.

View details
Rachel Zimmerman·TVSEF - Rachel Zimmerman Brachman Biography