February 22

La Voisin, born Catherine Monvoisin in 1640, was a notorious French occultist and fortune teller. She rose to prominence at the court of Louis XIV by offering love potions and black magic rituals. Her network, known as the Affair of the Poisons, implicated members of the aristocracy in murder plots. Arrested in 1679, she confessed under torture to supplying poisons and conducting witchcraft ceremonies. Her testimonies led to dozens of trials and executions for poisoning and heresy. In 1680, she was convicted of witchcraft and burned at the stake, marking one of the most sensational scandals of 17th-century France.

Christopher Seider (1758–1770) was a young colonial American whose death intensified anti-British sentiment in Boston. At age 12, he joined a protest led by Samuel Adams against the seizure of a Loyalist shopkeeper’s goods. He was shot and killed by a customs officer, Ebenezer Richardson, on February 22, 1770. His funeral procession drew thousands and became a rallying point for the Sons of Liberty. Seider’s death foreshadowed the Boston Massacre six days later and helped unite colonists in resistance. Often cited as the first martyr of the Revolutionary cause, his memory was invoked by patriots throughout the conflict.

Christoph Probst was a medical student who became a key contributor to the White Rose, a non-violent resistance organization in Nazi Germany. He assisted in drafting and distributing anti-Nazi leaflets that called for moral action against Hitler's regime. Arrested in 1943 alongside Hans and Sophie Scholl, Probst was tried and executed at the age of 24. His bravery and sacrifice exemplify the power of individual conscience in the face of oppression. Today, he is remembered as a symbol of youthful idealism and moral courage during one of history's darkest periods.

Hans Scholl co-founded the White Rose with his sister Sophie and friends at the University of Munich in 1942. Motivated by a deep sense of justice, he wrote and distributed powerful leaflets that denounced the crimes of the Nazi regime. Arrested in February 1943, Scholl faced trial and execution for high treason. His eloquence and moral conviction inspired a generation of Germans to question authority and uphold human rights. Hans Scholl's legacy endures in literature, film, and memorials honoring his unwavering stand against totalitarianism.

Sophie Scholl joined her brother Hans in founding the White Rose movement at the University of Munich in 1942. She wrote, distributed, and boldly advocated for the anti-Nazi leaflets that called citizens to passive resistance. At just 21, Scholl was arrested after distributing leaflets and executed for her beliefs. Her fearless defiance in the face of tyranny made her an enduring symbol of conscience and female resistance. Today, Sophie Scholl is honored in schools, films, and public memorials as a beacon of principled bravery during World War II.

Kasturba Gandhi supported and participated in her husband's campaigns for social reform, including efforts to improve education for women and reduce caste discrimination. She led protests, organized relief efforts, and endured imprisonment alongside Gandhi during civil disobedience movements. Known affectionately as 'Ba', she balanced family responsibilities with public service, becoming an inspirational figure for Indian women. Her steadfast dedication to non-violence and social justice left a lasting impact on India's struggle for freedom. Kasturba's memory is honored in institutions and biographies highlighting her contributions behind the scenes.

Born in Vienna in 1882, Frankfurter emigrated to the United States at age eleven. He excelled at Harvard Law School and later became a professor, pioneering the field of administrative law. Appointed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1939, he served on the Supreme Court until 1962. Frankfurter was known for his advocacy of judicial restraint and deference to legislative bodies. He authored influential opinions on free speech, due process, and civil liberties. His pragmatic approach and mentorship shaped generations of lawyers and legal thought. Frankfurter died in 1965, leaving a lasting legacy in American constitutional law.

Joseph 'Papa Joe' Aiuppa was born in 1907 in Melrose Park, Illinois, to Italian immigrant parents. He rose through the ranks of the Chicago Outfit, becoming its leader in the late 1950s and overseeing extensive illegal gambling and extortion enterprises. Aiuppa was known for his ruthless efficiency and low-profile approach to leadership. In 1986, he was convicted in the Operation Family Secrets trial for skimming profits from Las Vegas casinos and was sentenced to prison. He died behind bars in 1997, marking the end of an era for the Chicago mob and highlighting the U.S. government's crackdown on organized crime.

Marie Colvin (1956–2012) was an award-winning American journalist and foreign correspondent for The Sunday Times. She covered wars and humanitarian crises in Sri Lanka, Chechnya, Zimbabwe, and the Middle East with unparalleled bravery. Known for her distinctive eye patch, a result of an injury in Sri Lanka, she brought human stories from the front lines to global audiences. Her commitment to giving voice to civilians in war earned her prestigious journalism awards. She was tragically killed while reporting in Homs, Syria, highlighting the dangers faced by reporters in conflict zones.

Rémi Ochlik (1983–2012) was a talented French photojournalist celebrated for his vivid images of global conflicts. He gained international recognition for his coverage of the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings in Libya and Tunisia. At just 29, he won the prestigious Robert Capa Gold Medal for his courageous and impactful photography. His work appeared in major publications and highlighted the human cost of war. Ochlik was killed by artillery fire while reporting from Homs, Syria, underscoring the perils faced by conflict photographers.