On this day

23 October in history.

5 moments from 1850 to 1995: discovery, creativity and courage, each with a source to read more.

5 moments

Jeannette Piccard , landing of the Century of Progress balloon near Cadiz, Ohio , 23 October 1934 If you have a version without flash from copying feel free to replace this.

1934

Jeannette Piccard flies into the stratosphere. Jeannette Piccard piloted a balloon to 17,550 metres (57,579 feet), becoming the first woman to fly in the stratosphere.

Wikipedia: Jeannette Piccard

Photo: Unknown author / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

More from 23 October

  1. 1850

    The first National Women's Rights Convention meets

    Worcester, Massachusetts, hosted the opening of the very first National Women's Rights Convention.

    Wikipedia: National Women's Rights ConventionWikipedia: Worcester, Massachusetts

  2. Alberto Santos-Dumont, half-length portrait, facing front, sitting, with right arm resting on back of chair.

    1906

    Santos-Dumont makes Europe's first powered flight

    Europe saw its first flight by a heavier-than-air machine when Alberto Santos-Dumont took to the sky in his aeroplane.

    Wikipedia: Alberto Santos-DumontWikipedia: AirplaneWikipedia: History of aviation

    Photo: Zaida Ben-Yusuf / Adam Cuerden / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

  3. Jackie Robinson, 31 Jan 1919 - 24 Oct 1972. Color carbro print, 25.4 × 20.6 cm (10 × 8 1/8").

    1945

    Jackie Robinson signs with the Dodgers' team

    Jackie Robinson signed a contract with the Montreal Royals, the Brooklyn Dodgers' minor league team, breaking baseball's colour barrier.

    Wikipedia: Jackie RobinsonWikipedia: Kansas City MonarchsWikipedia: Brooklyn Dodgers

    Photo: Harry Warnecke / Frank Livia / Robert F. Cranston / William Klein / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)

  4. Alexander McQueen (17 March 1969 – 11 February 2010), British fashion designer, at his Fall 2009 collection.

    1995

    McQueen shows The Hunger at the Natural History Museum

    Alexander McQueen staged the runway show for his collection The Hunger at London's Natural History Museum.

    Wikipedia: Alexander McQueenWikipedia: The Hunger (collection)Wikipedia: Natural History Museum, London

    Photo: Ed Kavishe / fashionwirepress.com / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)

Moments chosen for discovery, creativity and courage. Each one links to a source where you can read more; photos are credited to their owners.