History of Katherine Johnson in Timeline
Katherine Johnson was an African-American mathematician who was employed by NASA for 33 years. Her exceptional ability in orbital mechanics, particularly her precise manual calculations, played a crucial role in the triumph of America's inaugural and successive manned space missions. Her contributions extended to pioneering the integration of computers into complex computational tasks within the organization. NASA acknowledges her significant contribution as one of the pioneering African-American women to serve as a scientist in the institution.
August 26, 1918: Birth of Katherine Johnson
Katherine Johnson was born on August 26, 1918.
1937: Katherine Johnson Graduates Summa Cum Laude
At the age of 18, Katherine Johnson graduated summa cum laude with degrees in mathematics and French in 1937.
1938: Landmark Supreme Court Ruling Impacts Educational Opportunities
The United States Supreme Court ruled in Missouri ex rel. Gaines v. Canada in 1938, requiring states to provide equal public higher education opportunities for both black and white students.
1939: Katherine Johnson Pursues Graduate Studies and Starts a Family
Katherine Johnson married James Goble and began a graduate mathematics program in 1939. She prioritized her family life and left the program after the first session.
1952: Opportunity Arises at NACA
Katherine Johnson learns about job opportunities for mathematicians at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) in 1952.
June 1953: Katherine Johnson Joins NACA
In June 1953, Katherine Johnson accepted a job offer from NACA, marking the beginning of her groundbreaking career in aerospace.
1953: Katherine Johnson and Her Family Settle in Newport News
Katherine Johnson and her family moved to Newport News, Virginia, in 1953.
1953: Katherine Johnson Begins Work at NACA
Katherine Johnson starts working as a computer at NACA in 1953, facing segregation and discrimination.
1956: Katherine Johnson Loses Her First Husband
Katherine Johnson's first husband, James Goble, passed away in 1956.
1958: Katherine Johnson's Role Expands at NASA
Katherine Johnson continues to work at NASA, now as an aerospace technologist, from 1958 until her retirement in 1986.
1958: NACA Transitions to NASA and Integrates Computing Pool
NACA disbands the segregated computing pool in 1958 as it transitions into NASA and adopts digital computers.
1958: NASA is Formed and the Computing Pool is Disbanded
NACA disbands its segregated computing pool with the formation of NASA in 1958.
May 5, 1961: Katherine Johnson Calculates Trajectory for Alan Shepard's Historic Flight
Katherine Johnson calculates the trajectory for Alan Shepard's historic space flight on May 5, 1961, marking a pivotal moment in human space exploration.
1961: Katherine Johnson's Calculations Ensure Safe Return of Freedom 7
Katherine Johnson's precise calculations were essential in ensuring the safe return of Alan Shepard's Freedom 7 Mercury capsule in 1961.
1969: Katherine Johnson's Contributions to the Apollo 11 Mission
Katherine Johnson plays a vital role in calculating the trajectory for the Apollo 11 mission in 1969, a defining moment in space exploration.
1970: Katherine Johnson's Critical Role in Apollo 13 Rescue
In 1970, Katherine Johnson's work was crucial in developing backup procedures and charts that helped bring the Apollo 13 crew safely back to Earth.
1986: Katherine Johnson Retires from NASA
After a remarkable 33-year career at NASA, Katherine Johnson retires in 1986.
1999: West Virginia State College Outstanding Alumnus of the Year
In 1999, Katherine Johnson was recognized for her outstanding achievements and contributions by being named West Virginia State College Outstanding Alumnus of the Year.
2010: Katherine Johnson Reflects on Apollo Missions
In a 2010 interview, Katherine Johnson reflected on her experiences during the Apollo missions, emphasizing the collective concern for the astronauts' safe return.
November 24, 2015: Presidential Medal of Freedom
On November 24, 2015, President Barack Obama awarded Katherine Johnson the Presidential Medal of Freedom, recognizing her pioneering contributions to STEM as an African-American woman.
2015: President Obama Awards Katherine Johnson the Presidential Medal of Freedom
Katherine Johnson was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama in 2015.
May 5, 2016: Katherine G. Johnson Computational Research Facility Dedication
On May 5, 2016, a new NASA building, the Katherine G. Johnson Computational Research Facility, was dedicated in honor of Katherine Johnson at the Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia.
December 2016: Hidden Figures Film Release
The film "Hidden Figures," based on the book by Margot Lee Shetterly, was released in December 2016, portraying the lives and careers of Katherine Johnson, Mary Jackson, and Dorothy Vaughan at NASA.
2016: Katherine Johnson Receives Recognition for Her Contributions
Katherine Johnson received the Silver Snoopy Award and a NASA Group Achievement Award in 2016. The film "Hidden Figures," which features her as a lead character, was also released that year.
2016: BBC's 100 Women
Katherine Johnson was featured on the BBC's prestigious list of 100 Women of influence worldwide in 2016, highlighting her global impact and recognition.
2016: Prototype Lego for Women of NASA
Science writer Maia Weinstock created a prototype Lego set featuring Women of NASA in 2016, which included Katherine Johnson. Although she declined to have her likeness on the final product, this gesture highlights her recognition and impact.
September 22, 2017: Katherine G. Johnson Computational Research Facility Opening
The Katherine G. Johnson Computational Research Facility officially opened its doors on September 22, 2017. Johnson attended the event, which also marked the 55th anniversary of astronaut Alan Shepard's historic rocket launch and splashdown - a success she contributed to.
May 12, 2018: Honorary Doctorate from William & Mary
On May 12, 2018, Katherine Johnson received an honorary doctorate from the College of William & Mary, acknowledging her significant contributions to science and her role as a role model.
August 2018: STEM scholarship and statue at West Virginia State University
In August 2018, West Virginia State University honored Katherine Johnson by establishing a STEM scholarship in her name and erecting a life-size statue of her on campus.
February 22, 2019: Katherine Johnson Independent Verification and Validation Facility
On February 22, 2019, NASA renamed the Independent Verification and Validation Facility in Fairmont, West Virginia, to the Katherine Johnson Independent Verification and Validation Facility.
March 2019: Katherine Johnson's Second Husband Passes Away
James A. "Jim" Johnson, Katherine Johnson's second husband, passed away in March 2019.
June 2019: Katherine G. Johnson Hall at George Mason University
In June 2019, George Mason University named their most prominent building on the SciTech campus the Katherine G. Johnson Hall, solidifying her legacy in STEM.
2019: Government Executive's Government Hall of Fame
Katherine Johnson's exceptional contributions to government service were acknowledged in 2019 when she was inducted into the inaugural class of Government Executive's Government Hall of Fame.
2019: Katherine Johnson Awarded the Congressional Gold Medal
The United States Congress awarded Katherine Johnson the Congressional Gold Medal in 2019.
February 24, 2020: Death of Katherine Johnson
Katherine Johnson passed away on February 24, 2020.
November 2, 2020: Katherine Johnson Middle School
On November 2, 2020, Fairfax County Public Schools and the City of Fairfax, Virginia, decided to rename a middle school previously named after a Confederate figure to Katherine Johnson Middle School.
November 6, 2020: ÑuSat 15 Satellite Launch
On November 6, 2020, a satellite named "Katherine" (ÑuSat 15 or "Katherine", COSPAR 2020-079G) was launched into space in honor of Katherine Johnson.
2020: Katherine G. Johnson Elementary School
Bethel School District in Washington honored Katherine Johnson by naming their newest school Katherine G. Johnson Elementary in 2020.
February 2021: SS Katherine Johnson Spacecraft Naming
Northrop Grumman named its Cygnus NG-15 spacecraft, intended to supply the International Space Station, the SS Katherine Johnson in February 2021.
2021: Posthumous Induction into the National Women's Hall of Fame
Katherine Johnson was posthumously inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame in 2021.
2021: Katherine Johnson Middle Schools in Sacramento and Baltimore
The year 2021 saw two more schools named in honor of Katherine Johnson: Katherine Johnson Middle School in Sacramento, California, and the Katherine Johnson Global Academy in Baltimore County, Maryland.