April 03

Elizabeth Boleyn (1480–1538) was an English noblewoman and courtier. She served as a lady-in-waiting to Queen Catherine of Aragon. As mother of Anne Boleyn, she was closely connected to the Tudor court. Her family ties placed her at the center of political and religious upheaval. Elizabeth witnessed her daughter’s rise as Queen of England and subsequent downfall. She died on April 3, 1538, leaving a complex legacy tied to the Henrician Reformation.

Jesse James was an American outlaw and former Confederate guerrilla during the American Civil War turned infamous bank and train robber. Born in Clay County, Missouri in 1847, he led the James–Younger Gang in a series of daring raids across the Midwest. His exploits against banks, trains, and stagecoaches captured the public imagination and made him one of the most wanted men in America. Romanticized by some as a Robin Hood figure, his generosity is debated by historians. He skillfully evaded law enforcement for years before being shot by a member of his own gang, Robert Ford, in 1882. His violent life and dramatic death have inspired countless books, films, and folk songs, cementing his legacy in American folklore.

Esther Hobart Morris was a trailblazing American lawyer and judge who became the first woman justice of the peace in 1870 in South Pass City, Wyoming Territory. Born in New York in 1814, she moved west and became a strong advocate for women's rights. Her appointment came shortly after Wyoming granted women the right to vote, and she used her position to champion gender equality. Morris fought for legal reforms and worked tirelessly to expand opportunities for women in civic life. Her courage and leadership laid groundwork for future suffrage successes, and she continues to be honored as a pioneer of women's political empowerment. Her legacy is celebrated each year on Esther Morris Day in Wyoming.

Richard Hauptmann was a German-born American who was convicted in 1935 of kidnapping and murdering Charles Lindbergh Jr., the infant son of the famous aviator. Born in 1899, he emigrated to the United States and worked as a carpenter. The case, dubbed the "Crime of the Century," gripped the nation with its shocking audacity and media frenzy. Hauptmann was identified by ransom money found in his possession and was tried and sentenced to death in New Jersey. Despite claims of his innocence and appeals for a retrial, he was executed in 1936 by electric chair. The trial remains controversial, fueling debates over due process, media influence, and public opinion in high-profile cases.

Joseph Valachi was born in New York City in 1904. He joined the Mafia in the 1920s and became a soldier under the Genovese crime family. Valachi participated in bootlegging, extortion, and racketeering during Prohibition and beyond. In 1963, he became the first Mafia member to testify publicly before the U.S. Senate. His testimony exposed the structure, rituals, and code of La Cosa Nostra. The Valachi hearings led to greater law enforcement scrutiny of organized crime. He was sentenced to life in prison and spent his final years in federal custody. Valachi died of a heart attack on April 3, 1971, at the U.S. Medical Center for Federal Prisoners in Missouri.

Claude-Henri Grignon was a Canadian journalist and politician who championed rural communities through his writing and public service. He began his career reporting on local affairs before entering politics in Quebec, representing his constituency with dedication. Grignon used his platform to address social issues, blending journalistic insight with legislative action. He was respected for his commitment to transparency and for advocating reforms that benefited farmers and small towns. His dual career left a legacy of civic engagement and journalistic integrity that influenced Quebec's cultural landscape.

Charles Goren revolutionized contract bridge in the mid-20th century by developing the point-count bidding system. His 1947 book Goren on Bridge sold millions of copies and became a standard reference. From 1950 to 1980 his daily column reached readers nationwide, elevating bridge to a mainstream pastime. Goren's teachings emphasized clarity and solid fundamentals, making the game more approachable. He served as president of the American Contract Bridge League and was inducted into the ACBL Hall of Fame. His influence endures in modern bridge strategy and education.

Richard Descoings was born in 1958 in Paris and graduated from the École nationale d'administration. He began his career at the Ministry of Economy and later joined the Inspection générale des finances. In 1996, he was appointed director of the Paris Institute of Political Studies (Sciences Po), where he implemented major reforms. Descoings introduced social diversity programs, international partnerships, and satellite campuses to broaden access. Under his leadership, student numbers and global reputation grew significantly. He published works on educational policy and advocated for academic innovation. Descoings died unexpectedly in 2012 during a trip to New York, leaving behind a transformed institution.

Prince Michael of Prussia (Michael Wilhelm Heinrich Ferdinand Friedrich Franz Karl Eduard Paul) was a German aristocrat, painter, and historian born in exile in 1940. A descendant of Emperor Wilhelm I, he dedicated much of his life to the study and preservation of Hohenzollern family archives. Michael authored several books on royal genealogy and Prussian heritage, offering unique insights into European royal history. As a trained artist, he exhibited his paintings and disciples of the Nazarene school in galleries across Europe and the United States. He served as president of the Hohenzollern Family Association and worked to restore historical sites linked to his ancestors. His blend of scholarly rigor and artistic talent made him a respected figure in both academic and cultural circles.