A little over a week ago, President Biden underwent a colonoscopy, which required his going under anesthesia. As is protocol in the US ever since the 25th Amendment, the Vice President serves as acting president during that time once the President transfers his powers.

In this case, that meant Kamala Harris was acting President of the United States for about 85 minutes, a little over an hour.

“In view of present circumstances, I have determined to transfer temporarily the powers and duties of the office of President of the United States to the Vice President during the brief period of the procedure and recovery,” Biden is recorded writing to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (via The Washington Post).

You’re probably thinking this isn’t really a big deal, or maybe that this isn’t really big “news.”.Well, unfortunately for you, it is.

As we all know, there’s never been a woman president, many have run, but zero have actually been elected into office. In fact, Kamala Harris is our first female Vice President!

And now, she’s become both the first female VP and the first female acting president. What a record!

According to the White House and The Washington Post, “Harris worked ‘from her office in the West Wing during this time.’”

Again, I know it doesn’t sound like much, but it’s a big deal for women’s politics and for the country. While in her office, Harris was literally making history. That is something that she has been doing in many of her acts as Vice President.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki commented about this event, “…today was another chapter in that history, I think, that will be noted for many women [and] young girls across the country,” (via The Washington Post).

Luckily, all went well with President Biden’s procedure, and he came out all in one piece. However, his choosing to comply with the 25th amendment and appointing Harris to serve as acting president for a bit will be something remembered by all politically active women in America. With women taking on increasing roles in government, maybe we’re not so far off from having our first female president.

For more information about Kamala Harris’ temporary presidency, check out this article by The Washington Post.