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The Curie's Lives
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Pierre Curie's Birth
Pierre Curie is born in Paris, France on May 15, 1859. -
Marie's Birth
Marie is born on November 7, 1867 in Warsaw, Poland. She was originally born to the name of Marie Sklodowska. At this time, Pierre is 8 years old. -
Pierre gets his Liscence in Physics
On July 14, 1878, Pierre Curie earns his licsensure in Physics. He then enters the Faculty of Sciences at Sorbonne University. He stays in the position for 4 years. -
Piezoelectricity is Discovered
Pierre and his brother Jacques discover Piezoelectricity (when the potential of a substance's electricity is shown when mechanical stresses are put on them). Also, they found that the magnetic properties of a substance change at a certain temperature, which is known as the Curie point. Pierre was 21 at this time. -
Marie Sklodowska Moves
Maire moves from Poland to Paris, France because the part of Poland she was living in was under Russian rule. This is the same place where Pierre is teaching. She obtains her liscence in Mathematical Sciences and Physics here. -
The Curies Meet
The Curies met at Sorbonne where Marie was getting her second degree in Mathematical Sciences and where Pierre was the professor in the School of Physics. -
Pierre Gets his Doctor of Science Degree
Pierre gets his doctor of science degree. -
The Curies Wed
The Curies get married and Marie adopts Pierre's last name: Curie. -
Radioactivity is Discovered
Henri Becquerel discovers radioactivity (he doesn't call it this) when he noticed that one type of substance glowed in the dark after being exposed to sunlight. This inspired Marie to start researching this topic. -
Irene is Born
Maire and Pierre's only daughter, Irene, is born. -
Radium is Discovered
After 2 years of research, Marie and Pierre discovered the new element which they named radium. They found this by starting with barium and each time they managed to take a small amount of barium away, they were left with a substance that gave off 300 times stronger waves then uranium. This was also the first time that the word radioactivity was used. Marie figures that the amount of radioactivity depends on the interior of an atom, rather then the arrangement of atoms in molecule. -
Pierre is Appointed the Professor in the Faculty of Sciences
Pierre is appointed the professor in the Faculty of Sciences. He keeps this position for 4 years. -
Nobel Prize of 1903
Marie and Pierre Curie were awarded half of the Nobel Prize in 1903 for the discovery of radium and radioactivity. Henri Becquerel received the other half for his research in the waves that would be known as radioactivity. Around the same time, Marie was appointed Head of the Physics Laboratory in Sorbonne. Also, both Curies received the Davy Medal of Royal Society in 1903. -
Eve is Born
The Curie's only son, Eve, was born on December 6, 1904. Also, during 1904, Pierre was appointed Titular Professor, and in 1905, he was elected into the Academy of Sciences. -
Pierre's Death
Pierre's death was caused by a horse-drawn buggie. He was run over by one that was carrying military uniforms when he was hurrying across a street in Paris. He was killed instantly. After he passed, Marie took his place as Professor of General Physics in the Faculty of Sciences. This was the first time in history that a women held this position. -
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Depression
Marie was depressed from losing Pierre. She had to raise Irene and Eve by herself. -
Marie is given a lab named after her
In 1914, Marie was appointed Director of the Curie laboratory in the Radium Institute in Paris. This lab was dedicated to her and Pierre for their great contributions to the scientific world. -
Marie Curie's Death
Marie Curie passed away from Leukemia in Sancellemoz, France. This cancer was caused from her interaction with radium. She had no idea that it could and was harming her. The papers that she used while touring are still radioactive to this day.