283: Julie d’Aubigny Opera Singer and Swordswoman Born: 1670, Paris, France Died: 1707, Provence, France Also Known As: La Maupin Julie ran away from her life (literally) after being forced into a marriage by her father and decided to wander the French countryside looking for trouble instead. She started dressing in men’s clothing and performing…
282: Cherilyn Sarkisian But You Know Her as Cher Born: 20 May 1946, El Centro, California, United States of America Singer and actress who is remembered for her songs like Believe and If I Could Turn Back Time and for her film roles in Moonstruck, Burlesque, and most recently, Mamma Mia 2: Here We Go…
281: Mariya Oktyabrskaya Soviet Tank Driver During World War II Born: 16 August 1905, Crimean Peninsula Died: 15 March 1944, Smolensk, USSR (Present-day Smolensk, Russia) Mariya was the first female tank driver to be awarded the Hero of the Soviet Union accolade—the highest honor bestowed for bravery during combat. She was a Sergeant in the…
280: Adrienne de Noailles La Fayette La Fayette’s Wife (the famous Revolutionary War one—yes) Born: 2 November 1759, Paris, France Died: 24 December 1807, Auvergne, France Original Name: Marie Adrienne de Noailles She was the Marquise de La Fayette. Adrienne and Gilbert married when she was fourteen and he was sixteen. Together they purchased two…
279: Janis Joplin Musician and Member of the Twenty-Seven Club Born: 19 January 1943, Port Arthur, Texas, United States of America Died: 4 October 1970, Los Angeles, California, United States of America Before going solo, Janis was a part of the bands Kosmic Blues Band and Big Brother & the Holding Company. Janis performed solo…
278: Aretha Franklin Musician Remembered for Her Soulful Voice Born: 25 March 1942, Memphis, Tennessee, United States of America Died: 16 August 2018, Detroit, Michigan, United States of America Aretha received eighteen Grammy awards in her lifetime and was the first woman ever inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Arguably her most…
277: Rebecca Nurse Salem Witch Born: 21 February 1621, Norfolk, England (Present-day United Kingdom) Died: 19 July 1692, Salem, Massachusetts Bay Colony (Present-day Massachusetts, United States of America) Rebecca was hanged at seventy-one years of age despite being a fervent churchgoer and grandmother. According to sources she was known for her piety but also occasionally…
276: Abigail Dane Faulkner Sr Salem Witch Born: 13 October 1652, Andover, Massachusetts Bay Colony (Present-day Massachusetts, United States of America) Died: 5 February 1730, Andover, Massachusetts Bay Colony (Present-day Massachusetts, United States of America) Abigail escaped hanging because she was pregnant at the time of the trials. Abigail and her husband Francis were quite…
275: Joan Rivers Comedian, Author, and Talk Show Host Born: 8 June 1933, Brooklyn, New York, United States of America Died: 4 September 2014, Manhattan, New York, United States of America Original Name: Joan Molinsky Joan is remembered for her sharp humor and quick wit. In her career, she is most remembered for hosting Fashion…
274: Jayne Mansfield Model and Actress Born: 19 April 1933, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, United States of America Died: 29 June 1967, Just Outside New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America Original Name: Vera Jane Palmer Jayne’s first film role was in 1954 and in 1955 she became Playboy’s Playmate of the Month for February. She…