60 moments

1. Birth at Ivy Green

   1880-06-27 · Ivy Green, Tuscumbia, Alabama, United States

   

   Helen Keller was born at the Keller family home, Ivy Green, in Tuscumbia. Coordinates identify Ivy Green, Keller's documented birthplace.

2. Consultation with Dr. Chisholm

   1886-01-01 · Baltimore, Maryland, United States

   As a child, Keller traveled with her parents to Baltimore for an eye consultation that led to a referral to Alexander Graham Bell. The autobiography supports the year through its statement that the Baltimore journey was two years before the May 1888 Boston visit.

3. Visit to Washington after Baltimore consultation

   1886-01-01 · Washington, District of Columbia, United States

   Following the Baltimore consultation, Keller went with her family to Washington to meet Alexander Graham Bell about schools and teachers for deaf or blind children. Year is supported by the preceding autobiographical account of the 1886 Baltimore journey.

4. Anne Sullivan arrives at Ivy Green

   1887-03-05 · Ivy Green, Tuscumbia, Alabama, United States

   

   Anne Sullivan arrived at Keller's home and began the teaching relationship that shaped Keller's education and public life. Coordinates identify Keller's home, Ivy Green.

5. Summer vacation on Cape Cod

   1888-01-01 · Brewster, Massachusetts, United States

   

   Keller and Sullivan spent their Perkins vacation in Brewster, where Keller encountered the sea for the first time. The source identifies this as a summer vacation but does not provide a month.

6. First visit to Perkins Institution

   1888-05-01 · Perkins Institution for the Blind, South Boston, Massachusetts, United States

   Keller visited the Perkins Institution for the Blind in Boston, meeting blind children who used the manual alphabet. Perkins was then located in South Boston; coordinates are for the historic South Boston area.

7. Visit to Bunker Hill

   1888-05-01 · Bunker Hill Monument, Charlestown, Boston, Massachusetts, United States

   During her first Boston visit, Keller visited Bunker Hill and climbed the monument. Month follows the surrounding account of her May 1888 Boston visit.

8. Visit to Plymouth Rock

   1888-05-01 · Plymouth Rock, Plymouth, Massachusetts, United States

   Keller made her first ocean voyage to Plymouth and visited Plymouth Rock and Pilgrim Hall. Month follows the surrounding account of her May 1888 Boston visit.

9. Studies at Perkins Institution

   1889-11-20 · Perkins Institution for the Blind, South Boston, Massachusetts, United States

   Keller was studying with Sullivan at the Perkins Institution in South Boston. Her letter is dated South Boston, Mass., November 20, 1889; coordinates represent the historic Perkins location.

10. Visit to Washington during Cleveland inauguration

    1893-01-01 · Washington, District of Columbia, United States

    Keller traveled to Washington during President Grover Cleveland's inauguration. The source supports the year but not a more precise date.

11. Niagara Falls visit

    1893-03-01 · American Falls, Niagara Falls, New York, United States

    Keller visited Niagara Falls, standing at the point overlooking the American Falls.

12. Chautauqua speech-teaching meeting

    1894-01-01 · Chautauqua, New York, United States

    Keller attended the Chautauqua meeting of the American Association to Promote the Teaching of Speech to the Deaf. Source identifies summer but does not give a month.

13. Visit to Bedloe's Island

    1894-10-01 · Liberty Island, New York, New York, United States

    While enrolled at the Wright-Humason School, Keller visited the Statue of Liberty and climbed within it. The quoted letter is dated October 23, 1894; it supports October but not the exact Saturday.

14. Wright-Humason School studies

    1894-10-01 · Wright-Humason School for the Deaf, New York, New York, United States

    Keller moved with Anne Sullivan to New York City to attend the Wright-Humason School for the Deaf and study vocal culture and lip-reading. Coordinates identify the school's documented address area at West 76th Street.

15. Cambridge School enrollment

    1896-10-01 · Cambridge School for Young Ladies, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States

    Keller entered the Cambridge School for Young Ladies to prepare for Radcliffe. Coordinates represent central Cambridge; the school's exact historic building location is not specified by the source.

16. Tutored studies in Wrentham

    1898-02-01 · Wrentham, Massachusetts, United States

    After leaving the Cambridge School, Keller continued college preparation while staying with the Chamberlins in Wrentham. The following sentence dates Keith's instruction there from February to July 1898.

17. College preparation in Boston

    1898-10-01 · Boston, Massachusetts, United States

    Keller returned to Boston for intensive tutoring with Merton S. Keith as she prepared for college.

18. Radcliffe entrance examinations

    1899-06-01 · Radcliffe College, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States

    Keller took her final Radcliffe entrance examinations over two days, using braille copies of the examination papers. The narrative states that Keller and her tutor went to the college before an examination; coordinates represent Radcliffe's historic Cambridge campus.

19. Begins Radcliffe College

    1900-01-01 · Radcliffe College, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States

    Keller began her Radcliffe College education after completing a further year of preparation. Source supports fall 1900 but not a month.

20. Wrentham home purchase

    1904-01-01 · Wrentham, Massachusetts, United States

    

    After graduating from Radcliffe, Keller purchased a home in Wrentham. Ownership and the contextual household chronology support residence; the source does not provide a street address.

21. Peace speech in New York

    1916-01-05 · New York, New York, United States

    Keller delivered her antiwar address, “Strike Against War,” before the Women's Peace Party. Venue is not identified in the source; coordinates represent the city.

22. Lecture at Mabel Tainter Memorial Building

    1916-01-22 · Mabel Tainter Memorial Building, Menomonie, Wisconsin, United States

    Keller and Anne Sullivan traveled to Menomonie to lecture; Keller spoke on “Happiness.”

23. Move to Forest Hills

    1917-01-01 · Forest Hills, Queens, New York, United States

    Keller, Sullivan, and Polly Thomson relocated their household to Forest Hills, which became a base for Keller's advocacy work. Source supplies the year but not a more precise move date.

24. AFB address in Washington

    1925-01-01 · Washington, District of Columbia, United States

    Keller gave an address on behalf of the American Foundation for the Blind in Washington. The source gives year only and does not identify a venue.

25. Lions Clubs convention address

    1925-01-01 · Cedar Point, Ohio, United States

    Keller addressed the Lions Clubs International Foundation Convention, reinforcing her long association with Lions' blindness-prevention work. The source title supports place and year but no exact date.

26. First overseas tour: England

    1930-04-01 · England, United Kingdom

    Keller traveled in England with Sullivan and Thomson on their first overseas tour. Coordinates are a representative point in London because the source specifies England but no locality.

27. First overseas tour: Ireland

    1930-04-01 · Ireland

    Keller traveled in Ireland with Sullivan and Thomson on their first overseas tour. Coordinates are a representative point in Dublin because the source specifies Ireland but no locality.

28. First overseas tour: Scotland

    1930-04-01 · Scotland, United Kingdom

    Keller traveled abroad with Anne Sullivan and Polly Thomson, visiting Scotland during a tour lasting more than six months. Coordinates are a representative point in Edinburgh because the source specifies Scotland but no locality.

29. Honorary degree at Temple University

    1931-02-16 · Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

    Keller delivered an acceptance address upon receiving an honorary degree from Temple University.

30. World Conference on Work for the Blind

    1931-04-02 · New York, New York, United States

    Keller addressed the World Conference on Work for the Blind in New York. Venue is not identified in the source; coordinates represent the city.

31. Tour of France

    1931-08-01 · France

    Keller traveled in France with Sullivan and Thomson after participating in the first World Council for the Blind. Coordinates are a representative point in Paris because the source specifies France but no locality.

32. Tour of Yugoslavia

    1931-08-01 · Yugoslavia

    Keller traveled in Yugoslavia with Sullivan and Thomson during their European journey. Coordinates represent Belgrade, a defensible representative point for the former country; the source gives no locality.

33. Third trip abroad: England

    1932-05-01 · England, United Kingdom

    Keller traveled with Sullivan and Thomson in England on their third trip abroad. Coordinates are a representative point in London because the source specifies England but no locality.

34. Third trip abroad: Scotland

    1932-05-01 · Scotland, United Kingdom

    Keller traveled with Sullivan and Thomson in Scotland on their third trip abroad. Coordinates are a representative point in Edinburgh because the source specifies Scotland but no locality.

35. Return to Scotland

    1933-06-01 · Scotland, United Kingdom

    Keller returned to Scotland with Anne Sullivan and Polly Thomson. Coordinates are a representative point in Edinburgh because the source specifies Scotland but no locality.

36. European journey with Polly Thomson

    1936-11-01 · England, United Kingdom

    Following Sullivan's death, Keller and Thomson traveled abroad through England, Scotland, and France. Coordinates are a representative point in London; the source supplies countries rather than localities.

37. First visit to Japan

    1937-04-01 · Japan

    

    Keller began a journey with Polly Thomson through Japan, Korea, and Manchuria; in Japan she visited Akita Prefecture in June. Coordinates are a representative point in Tokyo; source gives Japan but not an April locality.

38. Journey through Korea

    1937-04-01 · Korea

    Keller traveled with Polly Thomson in Korea on their 1937 East Asian journey. Coordinates represent Seoul as a broad representative point; the source does not identify a locality or distinguish present-day states.

39. Journey through Manchuria

    1937-04-01 · Manchuria, China

    Keller traveled with Polly Thomson in Manchuria on their 1937 East Asian journey. Coordinates represent Shenyang as a broad representative point for Manchuria; source gives no locality.

40. Visit to Akita Prefecture

    1937-06-01 · Akita Prefecture, Japan

    

    Keller visited Akita Prefecture and asked about Hachikō, beginning her association with Akita dogs. Source provides month but not a more specific date or locality in the prefecture.

41. Move to Arcan Ridge

    1939-09-01 · Arcan Ridge, Easton, Connecticut, United States

    Keller sold her Forest Hills home and moved with her household to Arcan Ridge in Connecticut, her final home. The cited chronology calls the location Westport; other sources identify Arcan Ridge in Easton. Coordinates represent Easton and this municipal discrepancy is material.

42. Postwar visit to Rome

    1946-01-01 · Rome, Italy

    Keller visited children at an institution for the blind in postwar Rome during her overseas advocacy work. The institution is not named; coordinates represent Rome.

43. First overseas-blind world tour: London

    1946-10-01 · London, England, United Kingdom

    Keller and Polly Thomson began an American Foundation for the Overseas Blind world tour, visiting London among other European destinations. Source gives month but no London arrival date.

44. Goodbye Salute in London

    1946-12-20 · London, England, United Kingdom

    Keller delivered “A Goodbye Salute” before the Royal National Institute for the Blind during her European advocacy tour. Source does not identify the institute building.

45. Lions Club address during world tour

    1947-06-27 · New York, New York, United States

    Keller addressed the Lions Club of New York and described her preceding winter visit to blind people in Europe. Venue is not identified in the source; coordinates represent the city.

46. Visit to Hiroshima

    1948-01-01 · Hiroshima, Japan

    During her postwar Japan trip, Keller visited Hiroshima to encounter firsthand the aftermath of the atomic bombing. The immediately preceding text identifies this as their 1948 trip to Japan.

47. Visit to Kobe

    1948-01-01 · Kobe, Hyōgo, Japan

    Keller and Thomson visited Kobe during their 1948 return to Japan, where schoolchildren welcomed them. Source provides year only.

48. Visit to Nagasaki

    1948-01-01 · Nagasaki, Japan

    During her postwar Japan trip, Keller visited Nagasaki to encounter firsthand the aftermath of the atomic bombing. The immediately preceding text identifies this as their 1948 trip to Japan.

49. AFOB tour of Australia

    1948-04-01 · Australia

    Keller and Thomson began an Australian and New Zealand tour as representatives of the American Foundation for the Overseas Blind. Coordinates are a representative point in Canberra because the chronology does not specify an Australian locality.

50. AFOB tour of New Zealand

    1948-04-01 · New Zealand

    Keller and Thomson toured New Zealand as representatives of the American Foundation for the Overseas Blind and visited deaf schools in Christchurch and Auckland. Coordinates are a representative point in Wellington because the chronology does not specify a date or locality within New Zealand.

51. Eye Hospital opening address

    1951-05-19 · Johannesburg, South Africa

    Keller delivered an address at the opening of an eye hospital in Johannesburg during her international advocacy travels. The hospital's precise identity is not supplied in the source.

52. Farewell in Durban

    1952-01-01 · Durban, South Africa

    Keller was photographed in Durban receiving a farewell from Zulu dancers during her South African travels. Source gives year only.

53. Speech at the Sorbonne

    1952-06-21 · Sorbonne, Paris, France

    Keller delivered a speech before the Sorbonne in Paris during her international work for blind people.

54. National University of Mexico address

    1953-06-23 · National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico

    Keller delivered an address before the National University of Mexico during her Latin American travel. The source title provides no city, but the National University of Mexico is in Mexico City.

55. Honorary degree at Harvard

    1955-06-16 · Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States

    Keller delivered remarks before Harvard University when it conferred an honorary degree upon her.

56. Keller-Macy Cottage dedication

    1956-11-01 · Perkins School for the Blind, Watertown, Massachusetts, United States

    Keller attended the dedication of Keller-Macy Cottage at Perkins, marking a reconciliation with the institution central to her education. The source gives month but no day; coordinates identify Perkins' Watertown campus.

57. Tour of Iceland

    1957-01-01 · Iceland

    Keller and Polly Thomson toured Iceland during their final period of extensive international travel together. Coordinates are a representative point in Reykjavík because the source gives no locality or month.

58. Tour of Scandinavia

    1957-01-01 · Scandinavia

    Keller and Polly Thomson toured Scandinavia during their final period of extensive international travel together. Coordinates represent Oslo as a broad representative point because the source names a region rather than countries or cities.

59. Visit with President Kennedy

    1961-01-01 · White House, Washington, District of Columbia, United States

    Keller visited President John F. Kennedy at the White House with her secretary Evelyn D. Seide. Source provides year only.

60. Death at Arcan Ridge

    1968-06-01 · Arcan Ridge, Easton, Connecticut, United States

    Keller died in her sleep at Arcan Ridge, her home in Easton, Connecticut. Coordinates represent Easton; the exact residential address is not supplied.