February 24

Ibn Battuta (1304-1369) was a Moroccan explorer and scholar. After performing the Hajj at age 21, he embarked on a 29-year journey spanning over 75,000 miles. He visited Egypt, Arabia, Persia, India, the Maldives, Southeast Asia, China, and parts of Europe. His detailed travelogue, the Rihla, provides one of the most comprehensive accounts of the medieval Islamic world. Battuta's accounts influenced geography and inspired future exploration. He returned home to Fez, where he worked as a judge and completed his memoir before passing away.

Joseph Banks was a pioneering English naturalist and botanist known for his role in Captain James Cook's first voyage to the Pacific Ocean. He collected and classified thousands of plant specimens, enriching European understanding of global flora. After returning to England, he served as President of the Royal Society for over four decades, guiding British science. Banks introduced numerous exotic plants to Britain, influencing horticulture and agriculture. His efforts helped establish botanical roots that led to the development of Kew Gardens, which preserve his legacy today.