Hisako Koyama Tracked Sunspots For Almost Half A Century
International Astronomy Day is coming up this weekend, so we’re talking about Hisako Koyama, an astronomer who hand-drew tens of thousands of daily observations of the sun and its spots.
Margaret Abbott Won Olympic Gold Even Though She Didn’t Know She Was In The Olympics
Today in 1900, Margaret Abbott became the first American woman to win an Olympic title, even though she didn’t know she was in the Olympics.
The U.S. Had An Aunt Sammy As Well As An Uncle Sam
Today in 1926, America’s aunt made her debut on the airwaves. That would be Aunt Sammy, who gave cooking tips to millions of listeners in the early days of radio.
At Age 11, Venetia Burney Named Pluto
Today in 1918, the birthday of Venetia Burney, who at age eleven, did something few people have done: she named a planet!
Bessie Stringfield Became Miami’s “Motorcycle Queen”
It's National Motorcycle Day, so it's a perfect day to tell the story of one of the most legendary riders of all time: Bessie Stringfield, whose cross country trips and daring won her the name "Motorcycle Queen of Miami."
How Did U.S. Dollars Get Their Name?
Today in 1785, the US Congress decided that the name of our country’s currency would be the dollar. Getting to that point was kind of a trek.
When Jacqueline Cochran Broke The Sound Barrier
Today in 1953, Jacqueline Cochran became the first woman to break the sound barrier. Then again, Cochran moved at high speed her whole career.
Molly Williams Was A New York Firefighter Before There Was a New York Fire Department
For International Firefighters Day, it's the story of Molly Williams, an enslaved Black woman who became the first known woman firefighter, and the first Black firefighter, in the United States.
Mary Patten, 19 Year Old Sea Captain
Today in 1837, the birthday of Mary Patten. She became a celebrity when she came along on a shipping trip led by her husband and ended up in charge of the ship.
Caroline Herschel Discovered Comets And Became A Star
Today in 1750, the birthday of an astronomer who definitely made her mark on the sky: Caroline Herschel, the first woman to discover a comet.