January 24

William Griffith Wilson was born in 1895 in East Dorset, Vermont. Struggling with alcoholism, he experienced a transformative spiritual awakening in 1935 that led him to sobriety. Together with Dr. Bob Smith, Wilson founded Alcoholics Anonymous later that year. Under the pseudonym Bill W., he championed the Twelve Steps program that has helped millions worldwide. Wilson spent the rest of his life promoting recovery, writing extensively for AA publications and founding related organizations. His innovative approach to peer support and personal accountability established a model for addiction treatment that endures today.

Theodore Robert Bundy was born in 1946 in Burlington, Vermont. He carried out a series of brutal murders and kidnappings across multiple states between 1974 and 1978. Charismatic and intelligent, Bundy exploited his charm to gain the trust of victims before violently attacking them. He escaped from custody twice, prompting a nationwide manhunt before his final capture in 1978. His trials were among the first to be nationally televised, bringing intense media scrutiny and public fascination. Bundy was convicted of multiple murders and sentenced to death in Florida. He remained on death row for over a decade before being executed in 1989. Bundy's life and crimes have been the subject of numerous books, documentaries, and films, underscoring ongoing interest in criminal psychology.

Uğur Mumcu was born in Kırşehir, Turkey, in 1942 and became a leading investigative reporter. Writing for Cumhuriyet, he revealed government corruption and extremist plots. His fearless journalism made him a respected advocate for transparency and democracy. On January 24, 1993, he was assassinated by a car bomb in Ankara, shocking the nation. His death underscored the risks faced by journalists in pursuit of truth. Mumcu is remembered as a symbol of journalistic courage in Turkey.

Gaffar Okkan was born in Konya, Turkey, in 1952 and advanced through the national police force. As chief in Diyarbakır in 2000, he introduced community outreach programs and youth engagement. His reforms strengthened trust between law enforcement and local residents in a conflict-prone region. On January 24, 2001, Okkan and his escorts were killed in an ambush, a blow to regional stability. His leadership style has inspired modern policing initiatives across Turkey. Okkan is celebrated for his dedication to humane and inclusive law enforcement.

İsmail Cem was born in 1940 in Istanbul into a prominent family of intellectuals. He began his career as a journalist and editor, founding the political magazine 'Yeni Forum' and writing for leading newspapers. Transitioning to politics in the 1990s, he joined the Republican People’s Party and later the Democratic Left Party. From 1997 to 2002, he served as Turkey’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, modernizing diplomatic relations with Europe and neighboring countries. He championed Turkey’s bid for EU membership and pursued a more proactive foreign policy. Cem’s dual legacy as an independent-minded journalist and high-ranking diplomat marks him as a significant figure in late 20th-century Turkey.

Usha Narayanan was born in 1922 in Rangoon (now Yangon), Burma, into an academic family. She moved to India after World War II and married diplomat K.R. Narayanan in the early 1950s. An accomplished translator, she worked on Burmese and Hindi literary works, fostering cross-cultural exchanges. When her husband became the President of India in 1997, she served as First Lady until 2002, the first non-Indian-born to hold the role. She championed educational initiatives and social welfare programs across India during her tenure. Her quiet dignity and intellectual pursuits earned her respect and admiration nationwide.

Iris Cummings was an American athlete who represented the United States in swimming at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. After her athletic career, she became one of the first female flight instructors during World War II. Cummings trained military pilots under the Civilian Pilot Training Program and the Women Airforce Service Pilots. She held multiple national swimming records and contributed to early aviation education. Her dual legacy in sports and aviation demonstrated her trailblazing spirit. Cummings remained active in both communities, inspiring future generations of women athletes and aviators.