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December 26CalendarDecember 28
This Day
27December

20 indexed achievements across recorded history.


1821
Jane Elgee Wilde
Literature

Birth of Jane Francesca Elgee Wilde

Jane Francesca Elgee Wilde, Irish poet and activist, was born on December 27, 1821.

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Jane Elgee Wilde·Dictionary of Irish Biography: Jane Wilde
1870
Eliza Murfey
Science

Three more bearing-material patents close out a 15-patent year (US 110,582–584)

Murfey's final patents of 1870 brought her yearly total to fifteen patents plus one reissue — an extraordinary output for any inventor of the era.

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Eliza Murfey·US Patent 110,582 - Improvement in Packing for Journal-Boxes
1884
Emma Amelia Hall
Science

Death of Emma Amelia Hall

Emma Amelia Hall died of heart disease in Albuquerque, New Mexico Territory; her body was returned to Ypsilanti, Michigan.

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Emma Amelia Hall·Emma Amelia Hall - Wikipedia
1888
Thea von Harbou
Science

Born in Tauperlitz, Bavaria

Thea von Harbou was born on December 27, 1888, in Tauperlitz, near Hof, Bavaria, into a family of minor aristocracy.

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Thea von Harbou·Thea von Harbou - Wikipedia
1891
Amalia Lindegren
Arts

Death of Amalia Lindegren

Amalia Lindegren died on December 27, 1891, in Stockholm, Sweden.

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Amalia Lindegren·Wikipedia: Amalia Lindegren
1900
Carrie Nation
Science

Smashes the Carey Hotel bar in Wichita and is jailed

Nation smashed the bar, mirror, and a nude painting at Wichita's Carey Hotel saloon; her arrest brought her international fame.

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Carrie Nation·This Day in History: Carry Nation Smashes Bar
1930
Meg Greenfield
Literature

Birth of Meg Greenfield

Birth of Mary Ellen “Meg” Greenfield in Seattle, Washington, the future Washington Post editorial leader and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist.

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Meg Greenfield·Meg Greenfield Biography - Department of Classics
1935
Marjorie Merriweather Post
Politics

Begins U.S.–Soviet humanitarian role

Appointed honorary vice president of Russian War Relief, enhancing U.S.-Soviet relations.

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Marjorie Merriweather Post·Diplomacy State Stories - Marjorie Post's Legacy
1935
Regina Jonas
Activism

Ordination as First Female Rabbi

Regina Jonas was ordained in Berlin by Rabbi Max Dienemann, becoming the first woman rabbi.

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Regina Jonas·Women of the Wall Regina Jonas
1938
Zona Gale
Literature

Death in Chicago, Illinois

Zona Gale died of pneumonia in Chicago, Illinois, at age 64.

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Zona Gale·Brief Chronology of Zona Gale's Life
1940
Katherine Dunham
Arts

Opening of "Carib Song"

Dunham's revue "Carib Song" opened in New York on December 27, 1940, continuing her exploration of Caribbean dance themes.

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Katherine Dunham·Katherine Dunham Timeline - Library of Congress
1944
Billie Holiday
Arts

Recording of "Don’t Explain"

Records "Don’t Explain," a confessional ballad she co‑wrote with Arthur Herzog Jr.

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Billie Holiday·Billie Holiday – Wikipedia
1944
Amy Beach
Arts

Death of Amy Beach in New York City

Amy Beach died in New York City on December 27, 1944, leaving behind a rich legacy of over 300 compositions.

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Amy Beach·Amy Beach - Wikipedia
1978
Nancy Lopez
Sports

Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year

Lopez named AP Female Athlete of the Year, 1978.

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Nancy Lopez·Kingdom.golf
1985
Dian Fossey
Science

Body of Dian Fossey Found at Karisoke

Fossey's body was discovered in her cabin at Karisoke on the morning of December 27, 1985, following her murder the previous night.

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Dian Fossey·Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund: Dian Fossey Bio
1992
Kay Boyle
Literature

Death of Kay Boyle

Kay Boyle passed away on December 27, 1992, in Mill Valley, California.

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Kay Boyle·The New York Times: For Kay Boyle, Nothing Succeeded Like Excess
1994
Marjorie Joyner
Activism

Death of Marjorie Stewart Joyner

Marjorie Stewart Joyner died of heart failure at her home on Chicago’s South Side at age 98.

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Marjorie Joyner·Marjorie Joyner - Wikipedia
2007
Benazir Bhutto
Politics

Assassination of Benazir Bhutto in Rawalpindi

Benazir Bhutto was assassinated in Rawalpindi after a campaign rally, killed by gunfire and a suicide bombing as she left Liaquat National Bagh.

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Benazir Bhutto·Benazir Bhutto - Britannica
2011
Helen Frankenthaler
Arts

Death of Helen Frankenthaler

Helen Frankenthaler passed away on December 27, 2011, in Darien, Connecticut.

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Helen Frankenthaler·The New York Times: Helen Frankenthaler, Abstract Painter, Dies at 83
2020
Jennifer King
Sports

First Black woman to act as lead position coach in an NFL game

King acted as lead running backs coach in an NFL game, later recognized as a first for a Black woman in that role.

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Jennifer King·YouTube: Jennifer King leads running backs during Washington game vs. Carolina