February 19

Born in 1865, Hedin led daring journeys through the deserts and mountains of Tibet and the Pamirs. He mapped vast regions previously unknown to Western science, producing detailed cartographic works. Hedin's expeditions collected valuable geological, botanical, and ethnographic data. He published his findings in numerous books and lectures, influencing geographic knowledge in Europe. Despite controversies over his associations, his contributions to exploration remain significant. Hedin passed away in 1952, remembered as one of history's great adventurers.

Joseph Peter Kerwin (born February 19, 1932) is an American physician and retired United States Navy captain. He joined NASA in 1966 and served as a flight surgeon on Apollo and Skylab missions before flying as science pilot on Skylab 2 in 1973. Kerwin conducted biomedical experiments to study the effects of microgravity on the human body. With over 100 days in space, he contributed to medical protocols for long-duration spaceflight. After leaving NASA, he returned to the Navy and later held leadership roles in aerospace and medical research. His pioneering medical work helped pave the way for future human space exploration.