This Day…

On June 20, 1921 – Rep. Alice Robertson of Oklahoma made history by becoming the first woman to chair a session of the United States House of Representatives. A fierce advocate for veterans and marginalized groups, she was only the second woman ever elected to the U.S. Congress

1928 – Amelia Earhart embarked on her historic trans-Atlantic flight, landing in Wales after about 21 hours in the air. While pilot Wilmer Stultz handled the flying, Earhart kept the flight logs, paving the way for her solo flight across the Atlantic four years later.

1833 – (Birth of a Spy): Birth of Pauline Cushman, an actress who became a celebrated Union spy during the Civil War.

1920 – 125 National Woman’s Party members surrounded the Chicago Coliseum to picket the Republican National Convention, demanding the 36th state ratification of the Susan B. Anthony Amendment. [1]

1920 – Protesting the GOP: According to ⁠Ms. Magazine, Alice Paul announced plans for National Woman’s Party members to picket the Republican National Convention in Chicago with large banners, continuing their advocacy for the 19th Amendment.

1907 – Birth of Dorothy West: A prominent writer and novelist of the Harlem Renaissance.

1870 – Arguments for women’s suffrage were prominently advocated during a period of rapid development for the American feminist movement, a time later archived and recalled by the Ms. Magazine archives.

1962 – Marilyn Monroe sings “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” to JFK before 15,000 attendees, accompanied by jazz pianist Hank Jones, at Madison Square Garden, NYC

1875 – First Kentucky Derby: The inaugural “Run for the Roses” was held at Churchill Downs, won by Aristides with jockey Oliver Lewis.