March 17

John Houlding (1833–1902) was an English brewer, businessman and politician who served as Lord Mayor of Liverpool. He is best remembered for founding Liverpool Football Club in 1892 following a disagreement with Everton FC over stadium rent at Anfield. Under his chairmanship, the club rapidly rose to prominence in English football. Houlding's entrepreneurial spirit and civic involvement laid the groundwork for Liverpool's lasting global legacy.

Born in 1908 in Los Angeles, Sylvester "Pat" Weaver joined NBC in 1948 and quickly rose to become the network's president of programming. He pioneered the concept of magazine-style morning and late-night television, launching the "Today" show in 1952 and the "Tonight" show in 1954. Weaver's innovative sponsorship model, which divided programs into multiple segments with different advertisers, transformed the industry's business practices. His vision laid the foundation for modern television formats and influenced generations of broadcasters. After leaving NBC in 1956, he continued to produce and consult on television programming. Weaver passed away in 2002, leaving an enduring impact on network television and media advertising.

Roland Arnall (1939-2008) was a French-American businessman, best known for founding Ameriquest Mortgage Company. Under his leadership, Ameriquest grew into one of the largest subprime mortgage lenders in the United States. He emigrated from France to Canada before settling in the U.S. and entering the real estate industry. In 2006, President George W. Bush appointed Arnall as the U.S. Ambassador to the Netherlands. He worked to strengthen bilateral relations and promote American business interests abroad. Arnall was also a philanthropist, supporting educational and Jewish causes through generous donations.

Lee Shau-kee was born in 1928 in Shunde, China, and co-founded Henderson Land Development in 1976. Under his leadership, the company grew into one of Asia’s largest property developers, with landmark projects in Hong Kong, Mainland China, and overseas. Known for his frugal lifestyle despite vast wealth, he engaged in extensive philanthropy, funding education, healthcare, and disaster relief. Forbes consistently listed him among the world’s richest individuals. He passed away in 2025, aged 97, leaving a philanthropic legacy and transforming Hong Kong’s skyline.