February 11

Born in AD 41, Britannicus was the only son of the Roman Emperor Claudius and his third wife Valeria Messalina. He was officially designated as Claudius’s heir and held the title 'Princeps Iuvenis' in the imperial court. His position as heir put him in direct competition with his stepbrother Nero. In AD 55, at the age of 13 or 14, Britannicus died suddenly during a banquet in Rome. Ancient sources claimed he was poisoned on the orders of Agrippina the Younger to secure Nero’s succession. Britannicus’s death marked a turning point in the Julio-Claudian dynasty and remains one of antiquity’s most notorious intrigues.

Born in 1466, Elizabeth was the eldest daughter of Edward IV of England. Her marriage in 1486 to Henry VII symbolized the end of the dynastic conflicts between the Yorkists and Lancastrians. As queen, she was known for her gracious patronage of the arts and support of religious institutions. Elizabeth bore several children, including the future King Henry VIII. She acted as regent during periods of Henry’s absence and held significant influence at court. Her serene presence and charitable works made her a beloved figure. She died on February 11, 1503, at the age of 37, and was mourned by a nation at peace.

Matilda was an American stage-act chicken renowned for her magic performances and longevity. Trained by her owner, she performed card tricks and appeared on television shows in the 1960s. Matilda set a Guinness World Record as the world’s oldest living chicken, passing away in her mid-teens. Her unique combination of animal talent and entertainment charmed audiences and challenged expectations of animal performers. Matilda remains a whimsical icon of novelty acts from the golden era of variety television.

Fernando González Pacheco was a trailblazer in Colombian television, gaining fame as a reporter and charismatic presenter. He hosted popular variety and talk shows, becoming one of the nation's most recognized media personalities. Pacheco also acted in numerous telenovelas and films, bridging journalism and entertainment. Throughout his career, he received multiple awards for broadcasting excellence and public service. His versatility and charm made him a beloved figure across Latin America. Pacheco passed away in 2014 at the age of 81.

Bob Simon spent more than four decades reporting for CBS News, covering international conflicts and major events around the globe. He won 27 Emmy Awards for his courageous reporting from Vietnam, the Middle East, and the Balkans, among other hotspots. Simon was a familiar face on '60 Minutes', where his in-depth documentaries shed light on humanitarian crises and political upheavals. Known for his integrity and dedication to truthful storytelling, he earned widespread respect within the journalism community. Simon tragically died in a car accident in 2015 at the age of 74.

Asma Jahangir was a pioneering Pakistani human-rights lawyer and social activist. Born in 1952, she co-founded the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan in 1986 to defend civil liberties. Jahangir served as UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief and championed marginalized groups. She was known for her fearless legal battles against military regimes and advocacy for women's rights. Nominated multiple times for the Nobel Peace Prize, she earned international acclaim for her work. Her legacy continues to inspire human-rights defenders worldwide. Jahangir passed away on February 11, 2018.