1640
Science
Baptism at Harbledown, Kent
Aphra Behn was baptised at Harbledown, near Canterbury, Kent, on 14 December 1640 — the only securely dated marker of her birth.
View detailsThis Day
14December
18 indexed achievements across recorded history.
1799
Politics
Death of George Washington and Martha’s destruction of personal correspondence
George Washington died on December 14, 1799, after which Martha destroyed many of their letters.
View details1874
Activism
Birth of Madeleine Lemoyne Ellicott
Madeleine Lemoyne Ellicott was born on December 14, 1874.
View details1891
Arts
Birth of Katherine MacDonald
Katherine MacDonald was born on December 14, 1891, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
View details1897
Science
Birth in Skowhegan, Maine
Margaret Madeline Chase was born in Skowhegan, Maine, the eldest of six children in a working-class family.
View details1908
Literature
Birth of Mária Szepes in Budapest
Mária Szepes, born Magdolna Scherbak, was born in Budapest, Austria-Hungary, on 14 December 1908.
View details1918
Politics
Publication of "What Does the Spartacus League Want?"
Luxemburg's Spartacus League manifesto was published on December 14, 1918.
View details1918
Science
First woman elected to the UK Parliament
On 14 December 1918, Constance Markievicz became the first woman ever elected to the House of Commons, winning the Dublin St Patrick's seat for Sinn Féin.
View details1921
Science
Funeral of Henrietta Swan Leavitt
Leavitt's funeral was held at the Chapel of the First Congregational Church in Cambridge, Massachusetts, two days after her death.
View details1946
Science
Birth of Claudia Goldin in New York City
Claudia Goldin was born on December 14, 1946, in New York City, the future economic historian and Nobel laureate.
View details1953
Literature
Death of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings
Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings died in St. Augustine, Florida, on December 14, 1953.
View details1955
Science
Birth of Jill Pipher
Jill Catherine Pipher was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA, on December 14, 1955.
View details1963
Aviation
Death of Marie Marvingt
Death of Marie Marvingt in Laxou, France, ending the life of one of the most decorated women in French sporting and aviation history.
View details1985
Politics
Becomes first female Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation
Sworn in after serving as Deputy Chief.
View details1992
Activism
Awarded U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom
Received the Presidential Medal of Freedom for humanitarian work.
View details1997
Literature
Death of Emily Cheney Neville
Emily Cheney Neville passed away on December 14, 1997, in Manhattan, New York.
View details2010
Science
Broadway previews of Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark
Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, with original direction and co-written book by Julie Taymor, began Broadway previews at the Foxwoods Theatre.
View details2012
Sports
Syrian national record in 400 m freestyle (short course)
Set Syrian national record in 400 m freestyle (short course) in Istanbul.
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