January 20

Born in Spain, Sebastian de Aparicio migrated to New Spain in 1536. He introduced improved breeding techniques and mule caravans to supply mines. As a Franciscan, he founded missions and hospitals in central Mexico. Aparicio organized some of the first large-scale ranches, shaping the colonial economy. He lived to the remarkable age of 98, witnessing centuries of growth in New Spain. He was beatified in 2002, honored for his entrepreneurial and charitable deeds.

Göran Fredrik Göransson was born in 1819 and studied engineering in England, where he learned about the Bessemer steelmaking process. Upon returning to Sweden, he obtained rights to the process and founded the first Bessemer steel plant in Sandviken. His ironworks grew rapidly, producing high-quality steel for railways, machinery, and export markets. Göransson also established a model industrial community, providing housing and social services for workers. Under his leadership, the company expanded into international markets and became one of Europe's leading steel producers. His vision and entrepreneurial spirit laid the foundation for Sweden's reputation in metallurgical innovation.

Born in 1889 in Niles, California, Allan Haines Loughead studied mechanical engineering and developed an early passion for flight. In 1912, he co-founded the Alco Hydro-Aeroplane Company (which later became Lockheed), pioneering seaplane design and production. Despite business setbacks after World War I, Loughead's innovative designs influenced future aircraft development. He held multiple patents for aviation technologies and remained active in engineering throughout his life. Loughead's legacy endures in the Lockheed Martin corporation, a giant of the aerospace industry.

Aristotle Onassis was born on January 20, 1906, in Smyrna, Ottoman Empire (now İzmir, Turkey). He started his career in tobacco trading before shifting focus to shipping in the 1930s. Onassis founded Olympic Maritime and amassed a vast fleet of oil tankers and cargo ships. His business acumen and bold investments made him one of the world's richest men. He gained fame for his marriage to Jacqueline Kennedy and his luxurious yacht, the Christina. Through the Onassis Foundation, he supported cultural and educational initiatives worldwide. He died in 1975, leaving a lasting legacy in maritime commerce and philanthropy.

Jeffrey Epstein was born in 1953 in Brooklyn, New York, and began his financial career at Bear Stearns before founding J. Epstein & Co. in the 1980s. He managed assets for high-net-worth clients and formed connections with political and business elites. In 2008, Epstein pleaded guilty to state charges of soliciting a minor for prostitution and served 13 months in jail. He faced federal sex trafficking charges in 2019 but died by suicide in prison before trial. Epstein's case sparked global scrutiny of abuse and privilege.