International Women's Day: Remembering suffragette Emily Davison, who threw herself under the King's horse at Epsom
Warning: Some may find the footage distressing. Ms Davison died in hospital four days after the incident, and it became a crucial moment in the women's suffrage movement
Your support helps us to tell the story
This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.
The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.
Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.
She made history when threw herself in front of the King's horse at Epsom Derby to protest against women's suffrage.
Emily Davison died from her injuries four days after the horse crashed into her on 4 June 1913, in front of stunned crowds.
Opinion remains divided over whether the 41-year-old intended to sacrifice herself or whether she just aimed to disrupt the race.
But the long time campaigner, who was sentenced to a month's hard labour in 1909 after throwing rocks at the carriage of chancellor David Lloyd George, nonetheless became the first woman to give her life in the fight for female emancipation.
Her funeral on 14 June, 1913, saw thousands of suffragettes accompany her coffin, as people line the streets to pay their respects.
Later, at the funeral of leading suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst in 1928, it was reported that the Herbert Jones, the jockey of the horse who collided into her, laid a wreath in honour of both Mrs Pankhurst and Ms Davidson.
On International Women's Day this footage carries special significance and is seen as a turning point for the emancipation of women in the UK.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments