March 16

Born in Charlbury, Oxfordshire in 1797, Watts began his career as a journalist and editor. He contributed to publications like Blackwood’s Magazine and later edited The Literary Magnet. Watts published several volumes of poetic sketches, with works such as Lays Sergeant Major gaining popularity during the Crimean War. His epigrams and satirical verses earned him a reputation as a sharp wit in literary circles. He also wrote essays and articles on contemporary politics and society. Watts’s blend of humor and social commentary left a lasting mark on Victorian literature.

Born in the Kėdainiai district of Lithuania, Jurgis Bielinis became a central figure in the resistance against the Russian Empire’s ban on Lithuanian-language publications. Known as the “King of Book Smugglers,” he organized covert networks that transported prohibited books printed in Latin script from East Prussia into Lithuania. Bielinis’s daring operations not only sustained the Lithuanian literary tradition but also fueled national consciousness and identity. He collaborated with fellow activists to distribute literature on education, history, and folklore. His legacy endures as a symbol of cultural resilience in Lithuania’s path to independence. He died in 1918.

Robert Rossen was born in 1908 in New York City and began his career as a stage actor and playwright. He transitioned to Hollywood, writing scripts and directing films that combined strong character studies with social critique. His adaptation and direction of the 1949 film All the King’s Men won the Academy Award for Best Picture, cementing his reputation in American cinema. Rossen faced the Hollywood blacklist during the McCarthy era and worked in Europe before returning to the U.S. to direct The Hustler in 1961, starring Paul Newman. His films often explored themes of power, morality, and ambition. Over his career, he produced, wrote, and directed a dozen motion pictures that influenced future filmmakers. Rossen passed away in 1966, remembered as a courageous artist who tackled complex subjects on screen.

Josef Mengele was born in 1911 in Günzburg, Germany, and earned his medical degree in anthropology and genetics. In 1943, he was assigned to Auschwitz, where he performed brutal pseudo-scientific experiments on prisoners, particularly twins, often resulting in death or permanent injury. Known as the ‘Angel of Death,’ Mengele's actions exemplified Nazi atrocities. After the war, he evaded capture and fled to South America, living under various aliases. He escaped justice until his death in Brazil in 1979. His legacy remains a chilling reminder of medical ethics violations and the horrors of genocide.

Tsutomu Yamaguchi was born in 1916 in Nagasaki, Japan, and worked as a marine engineer for Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. In August 1945, he experienced the atomic bombing of Hiroshima while on a business trip, sustaining radiation injuries. He returned home to Nagasaki, where he survived the second bombing three days later. Yamaguchi’s extraordinary account as a double hibakusha highlighted the humanitarian impact of nuclear warfare. After the war, he resumed his engineering career and advocated for nuclear disarmament. He received recognition from the Japanese government for his testimony before the United Nations. He died in 2010, remembered as a symbol of resilience and peace activism.

Born in 1917, Laure Pillay was among the first women to enter the legal profession in Mauritius. She served as a judge on the Supreme Court, where her fair and principled approach earned widespread respect. Throughout her career, she championed legal reforms and mentored young lawyers, helping to modernize Mauritius’s judicial system. A passionate advocate for human rights, she also lectured at the University of Mauritius and authored articles on constitutional law. She lived to be 100, passing away in 2017 after a lifetime of public service and groundbreaking achievements.

Born Gertraud Humps in 1920, Traudl Junge became Adolf Hitler’s youngest private secretary in 1942 at the age of 22. She witnessed key moments of the Nazi regime and was present in the Führerbunker during Hitler’s final days in 1945. After the war, she married and led a private life before writing her memoir Until the Final Hour in 2002, offering an insider’s perspective on the Third Reich’s last chapter. Her testimonies were featured in several documentaries, including the Oscar-nominated Downfall. Junge reflected on her youthful naivety and the moral complexities of her service, contributing to historical scholarship on Nazi Germany. She died shortly after publishing her memoirs in 2002.

Richard Desjardins is a Canadian singer-songwriter celebrated for his deep baritone voice and poetic lyrics. He began his musical journey in the 1970s, blending folk, rock, and jazz influences. In addition to music, Desjardins has directed critically acclaimed documentaries focusing on social and environmental issues. His films often explore Quebec's mining communities and raise awareness of ecological challenges. Desjardins has earned multiple awards for both his songwriting and filmmaking. He continues to create art that combines musical expression with documentary storytelling.

Colin Ireland was an English serial killer born on March 16, 1954. Over a six-month period in 1993 he targeted and murdered five gay men in London. He carefully selected his victims and gained their trust before killing them. His crimes shocked the public and led to an intensive police investigation known as Operation Orchid. Ireland was arrested in February 1994 and later confessed to the murders. He was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment with a recommendation to never be released. Ireland died in prison in 2012 from natural causes.

Bob Ley is an American sports anchor and reporter who spent decades at ESPN. He joined the network at its inception in 1979 and became the face of investigative sports journalism. As the long-time host of Outside the Lines, he covered major stories across football, basketball, and other sports. Ley has conducted in-depth interviews with athletes, coaches, and league officials. He has been recognized with awards for his contributions to sports media.

Jorge Ramos is a Mexican-American journalist who has anchored the Noticiero Univision since 1986. He is known for his hard-hitting interviews and coverage of immigration, politics, and social issues affecting Hispanic communities. Ramos has received numerous awards for his investigative reporting and advocacy journalism. In addition to his television work, he has written several books exploring U.S.-Latin American relations and the immigrant experience. Ramos continues to be a leading voice in Spanish-language media.