In India, women over 21 yeas old get the right to vote. 1959 Shirley Muldowney began her professional drag racing career. 1963 Russian cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova becomes first woman in space. Indira Gandhi becomes prime minister of India. Golda Meir becomes prime minister of Israel.
World population reaches four billion.
1978 Janet Guthrie qualifies for the Indianapolis 500 for a second time and finished the race in 8th position. Margaret Thatcher elected first woman prime minister of Great Britain. Sandra Day O'Connor appointed first woman U.S. Supreme Court Justice. Ellen Taafe Zwilich is the first woman to receive the Pulitzer Prize for Music. 1984 Geraldine Ferraro becomes first woman vice-presidential nominee of a major U.S. political party.