March 18

Juan Jauregui was a Spanish courtier in the service of the Habsburgs and covertly sent to the Netherlands in the 1580s. Motivated by religious and political loyalty to the Spanish crown, he plotted to assassinate William I of Orange, leader of the Dutch Revolt. In 1582, Jauregui's plan was uncovered before he could carry out the attack, and he was arrested by rebel authorities. Though he never faced trial in a traditional sense, his capture highlighted the intensity of the Eighty Years' War. Details of his fate remain obscure, but he is thought to have died the same year of his mission's failure. Jauregui's story illustrates the perilous intrigue of 16th-century European politics.

Born John Chapman in 1774 in Massachusetts, he traveled barefoot planting apple nurseries across the Midwest. A devotee of the Swedenborgian faith, he shared seeds and spiritual tracts with settlers and Native Americans. His nomadic lifestyle and care for the land created millions of apple trees, some of which still stand today. Known for his simple dress, tin pot hat, and kind spirit, he became a folk hero in American frontier lore. His ecological foresight and missionary zeal left a unique legacy blending conservation and faith. He died in 1845 near Fort Wayne, Indiana, celebrated as an enduring symbol of wilderness stewardship.

Henry Janeway Hardenbergh was a prolific American architect born in 1847 in New Brunswick, New Jersey. He gained fame for his elegant hotel designs, including The Plaza Hotel and The Dakota apartment building in New York City. Hardenbergh's work blended Beaux-Arts, French Renaissance, and Gothic Revival styles, setting new standards for luxury and urban architecture. He also designed the Martinique Hotel in New York and the Willard Hotel in Washington, D.C. A founding member of the American Institute of Architects, he influenced the development of high-rise architecture. His buildings remain central to the historic character of Manhattan.

Omid Reza Mir Sayafi was born in 1980 and became a prominent blogger and journalist in Iran. He used his online platform to critique governmental policies and advocate for freedom of expression. In 2008 he was arrested by authorities and held in Evin Prison. His sudden death in custody on March 18, 2009, drew international concern over press freedom and prisoner treatment. Mir Sayafi's legacy continues to inspire digital activists and highlight the risks faced by independent journalists under repressive regimes.

Furman Bisher was born in Monroe, North Carolina, in 1918 and became one of America's most respected sports writers. Over his seven-decade career, he wrote columns for the Atlanta Constitution and covered major events including the Masters Tournament and the Olympics. Bisher authored several books on sports history and personalities, showcasing his deep knowledge and storytelling skill. He witnessed and chronicled the evolution of American athletics from postwar baseball to modern football and basketball. His reserved style and unwavering integrity earned him the title of 'Dean of American Sportswriters'. Bisher passed away in 2012 at the age of 93.

Kanzi is a celebrated bonobo who has demonstrated extraordinary abilities in understanding and using symbols to communicate with humans. Raised in cognitive research programs, he learned to use a lexigram keyboard to express desires, identify objects, and form simple requests. Experimental studies showed Kanzi’s ability to learn new tokens by observation and to make and use stone tools. His achievements have reshaped our understanding of primate cognition and the evolutionary roots of human language. Kanzi continues to influence animal behavior research and conservation efforts.