Today in Women’s History

Her real name was Gabrielle Boneur Chanel.

From her first millinery shop, opened in 1912, to the 1920s, Gabrielle 'Coco' Chanel rose to become one of the premier fashion designers in Paris, France. Replacing the corset with comfort and casual elegance, her fashion themes included simple suits and dresses, women's trousers, costume jewelry, perfume and textiles.

She claimed a birthdate of 1893 and a birthplace of Auvergne; she was actually born in 1883 in Saumur - her mother worked in the poorhouse where Gabrielle was born, and died when Gabrielle was only six, leaving her father with five children whom he promptly abandoned to the care of relatives.

She adopted the name Coco during a brief career as a cafe and concert singers 1905-1908. First a mistress of a wealthy military officer then of an English industrialist, she drew on the resources of these patrons in setting up a millinery shop in Paris in 1910, expanding to Deauville and Biarritz. The two men also helped her find customers among women of society, and her simple hats became popular.

Soon she was expanding to couture, working in jersey, a first in the French fashion world. By the 1920s, her fashion house had expanded considerably, and her chemise set a fashion trend with its "little boy" look. Her relaxed fashions, short skirts, and casual look were in sharp contrast to the corset fashions popular in the previous decades. Chanel herself dressed in mannish clothes, and adapted these more comfortable fashions which other women also found liberating.

In 1922 Chanel introduced a perfume, Chanel No. 5, which became and remained popular, and remains a profitable product of Chanel's company. Pierre Wertheimer became her partner in the perfume business in 1924, and perhaps also her lover. Wertheimer owned 70% of the company; Coco Chanel received 10% and her friend Bader 20%. The Wertheimers continue to control the perfume company today.

Coco Chanel introduced her signature cardigan jacket in 1925 and signature "little black dress" in 1926. Most of her fashions had a staying power, and didn't change much from year to year -- or even generation to generation.

She briefly served as a nurse in World War I. Nazi occupation meant the fashion business in Paris was cut off for some years; Chanel's affair during World War II with a Nazi officer also resulted in some years of diminished popularity and an exile of sorts to Switzerland. In 1954 her comeback restored her to the first ranks of haute couture. Her natural, casual clothing including the Chanel suit once again caught the eye -- and purses -- of women. She introduced pea jackets and bell bottom pants for women. She was still working in 1971 when she died. Karl Lagerfeld has been chief designer of Chanel's fashion house since 1983.

In addition to her work with high fashion, she also designed stage costumes for such plays as Cocteau's Antigone (1923) and Oedipus Rex (1937) and film costumes for several movies, including Renoir's La Regle de Jeu. Katharine Hepburn starred in the 1969 Broadway musical Coco based on the life of Coco Chanel.

 

Mary of Modena was born.

 

Mary of Modena was the daughter of Alofonso IV of Modena and the duchess Laura. Mary was the second wife of James II of Great Britain. There were no surviving sons of his first marriage.

Mary of Modena was a Roman Catholic, raising suspicion that she would raise any children as Catholics, and British succession excluded Roman Catholics from the throne. Thus, the prospect of Mary bearing a male heir raised fears about the restoration of Roman Catholicism. The close association of Mary of Modena with the French and with the Jesuit order was also unpopular among the British populace.

The first five children of Mary of Modena and James II were stillborn or did not survive long. Finally, on June 10, 1688, Mary bore a living son, James. However, rumors circulated widely that the child was a changeling or substitute who would ensure a restoration of Roman Catolicism.

 

Eartha Kitt, the legendary actress/singer best known for her role as "Catwoman" on the Batman tv series, succumed to cancer.

 

To this day, she is regarded by many Batman fans as being the greatest of all "Catwomen". A self-proclaimed "sex kitten" famous for her catlike purr, Kitt was one of America's most versatile performers, winning two Emmy Awards and being nominated for Tony and Grammy Awards. The North, South Carolina native, born Eartha Mae Keith, played Catwoman in the 1960s television series 'Batman,' before being blacklisted after making anti-war statements during a White House luncheon hosted by First Lady Lady Bird Johnson. On the Broadway stage, she made her debut in 1945 in 'Bal Negre.' 32 years later, she was still going strong; with the all-star musical 'Timbuktu.' She received high marks for her role in the 2000 revival of 'The Wild Party.' Her other Broadway credits include 'Shinbone Alley,' 'Jolly's Progress' and 'Nine.' In the 1992 hit movie, Kitt played a most memorable role as Lady Eloise -- a rich business tycoon who has a sexual tryst with the movie's main character, played by Eddie Murphy. Most recently, she appeared in the independent films, 'Preaching to the Choir' --alongside Patti LaBelle, Tim Reid, and Tichina Arnold – and the romantic comedy called 'And Then Came Love' – starring Vanessa Williams, Michael Boatman, and Ben Vereen. An illustrius career indeed. Kitt is survived by her daughter, Kitt Shapiro, and two grand children. She was 81.

 

 

 

Mary Rowlandson was released from her captivity by indians in King Philip's War. Her tale of this captivity, published in 1682, is the first in the genra of captivity narratives.

 

 

 

 

The old Trail to King Philip's Fort at Squakeag

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Her Final Resting Place.