January 22

Active during the mid-16th century, Wang Zhi became one of the most powerful pirate leaders in East Asian waters. He led hundreds of ships and forged alliances with Japanese and Chinese traders to control maritime commerce. His fleet disrupted coastal trade, challenged imperial authorities, and pressured the Ming government to negotiate. Wang Zhi’s operations blurred the lines between piracy and privateering, influencing early international trade patterns. His legacy remains a testament to the complex interplay between law, commerce, and maritime power in the Ming era.

Joseph P. Bradley was born in 1813 in New York City. He graduated from Rutgers University and built a reputation as a skilled lawyer. In 1870, President Ulysses S. Grant appointed him to the Supreme Court of the United States. Bradley's decisive vote on the Electoral Commission in 1877 effectively resolved the highly contested Hayes-Tilden election. He served on the Court for over two decades, influencing decisions on constitutional and economic issues. Bradley's legal opinions reflected a conservative approach to federal power and judicial restraint. He died in 1892, remembered for his pivotal role during a turbulent period in American politics.

Arthur Bryant was born in 1899 in British India and educated at Oxford. He wrote extensively on Tudor and Georgian eras, blending scholarly research with engaging narrative. His books such as 'The Fire of London' brought history to a broad audience. Bryant served as a war correspondent and later edited major historical journals. He was knighted for his contributions to historical writing. His work influenced generations of readers and historians with its accessible style.

Robert Choquette was born in 1905 in Ontario, Canada and emerged as a leading French-Canadian poet. He published collections of poetry that explored themes of identity, nature, and human emotion. Choquette also served as Canada's ambassador to France, Ireland, and Belgium during the 1960s. His diplomatic work strengthened cultural ties between Canada and Europe. He was awarded multiple literary prizes and honours for his contributions to Canadian letters. Choquette's dual career bridged the worlds of art and international relations.

Born in 1920, Craig Claiborne joined The New York Times in 1957 and revolutionized food journalism with his insightful restaurant reviews and cookbooks. As the paper's first restaurant critic, he introduced readers to diverse cuisines and elevated the role of food writing in mainstream media. Claiborne co-authored seminal cookbooks and mentored generations of food writers, championing fresh ingredients and global flavors. His writing combined rigorous critique with an accessible style that inspired home cooks and professional chefs alike. He received multiple awards for his contributions to journalism and culinary arts before his passing in January 2000.

Born in 1920 in Lviv, Miles Lerman survived the Holocaust by escaping and joining partisan groups. After World War II, he relocated to the United States and became an influential leader in Jewish and human rights organizations. Lerman played a crucial role in the establishment of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, serving as chairman of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council. He tirelessly advocated for the recovery of Nazi-looted art and testified at war crimes trials. In 1993, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his dedication to education and remembrance. Lerman's efforts ensured that future generations would learn from the atrocities of the Holocaust. He died in 2008, leaving a lasting impact on global Holocaust awareness.