January 30

Everard Digby (1578-1606) was an English nobleman involved in the Gunpowder Plot to blow up the House of Lords. He hosted secret meetings among Catholic recusants and forged alliances with fellow conspirators. After the plot was uncovered, he was arrested, tried, and convicted of high treason. He was executed by hanging, drawing, and quartering in January 1606. His death underscored the religious tensions between Catholics and Protestants in Elizabethan England. His family suffered lasting repercussions from his involvement in the conspiracy.

Born Elizabeth Griscom in 1752 in Pennsylvania, Betsy Ross married upholsterer John Ross and established a successful upholstery business in Philadelphia. According to family lore, she was approached in 1776 by George Washington and other members of a congressional committee to create a new national flag. Ross is said to have suggested the five-pointed star, simplifying the original six-pointed design. Though historical evidence is limited, her story became a cherished part of American folklore throughout the 19th century. Ross continued her sewing career after the Revolution, crafting uniforms and flags for the Continental Army until her death in 1836.

Orville Wright (1871-1948) was an American aviation pioneer and engineer. He and his brother Wilbur achieved the first powered, controlled flight on December 17, 1903, at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Orville piloted the historic flight that lasted 12 seconds and covered 120 feet, proving sustained flight was possible. In 1909, he co-founded the Wright Company to manufacture airplanes and promote aviation technology. Under his leadership, the company developed several models that advanced early aircraft design. After World War I, the brothers sold their business interests but remained influential as consultants and lecturers. Orville continued to advocate for aeronautics until his death on January 30, 1948, leaving a lasting legacy in aviation.

Ed Herlihy was born in 1909 and began his career as a radio announcer in the 1930s. He became the iconic voice of Universal-International newsreels, narrating wartime and post-war events shown in cinemas. Beyond newsreels, he lent his voice to radio commercials and appeared in films and television. His warm baritone and clear delivery made him a household name and set the standard for broadcast journalism. Over his decades-long career, he received recognition for his contributions to broadcasting. He passed away on January 30, 1999, leaving a legacy as one of the most recognizable voices of his era.