April 12

Henri Désiré Landru (1869-1922) was a French serial killer who targeted widows and lonely women through personal ads, promising marriage before murdering them. He earned the moniker 'Bluebeard of Gambais' after disposing of his victims and appropriating their assets. Landru's crimes were discovered when authorities linked him to numerous disappearances, leading to a high-profile trial in Paris. He was convicted of multiple counts of murder and executed by guillotine. His case remains one of France's most notorious examples of premeditated serial killing.

Addie Joss (1880-1911) was a star pitcher in Major League Baseball, spending his entire career with the Cleveland Naps. He achieved a career earned run average (ERA) of 1.89, one of the lowest in MLB history. Joss threw a perfect game on October 2, 1908, becoming one of the earliest pitchers to accomplish the feat. Off the field, he worked as a journalist and was respected for his sportsmanship and humility. His premature death from tubercular meningitis at age 31 cut short a Hall of Fame career but cemented his legacy as one of baseball's all-time greats.

Dennis Banks (1937–2017) was a Native American activist, author, and educator best known as a co-founder of the American Indian Movement (AIM) in 1968. Born in Minnesota, he served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War before dedicating his life to social justice for Indigenous peoples. Banks led landmark protests, including the Trail of Broken Treaties and the 1973 occupation of Wounded Knee, demanding federal accountability and treaty rights. He wrote several books on Native American history and spirituality and founded the White Bison organization to support healing in Native communities. Through teaching and public speaking, he inspired a new generation of Indigenous leaders. His legacy endures in the ongoing struggle for Indigenous sovereignty and cultural preservation.

Ralph Wiley was an American journalist born on April 12, 1952, who passed away in 2004. He began his career at the Dallas Times Herald before becoming one of the first African-American writers at Sports Illustrated. Wiley's bold and insightful commentary blended sports analysis with cultural and racial perspectives. He later wrote for ESPN and authored books exploring the intersection of sports and society. Wiley's pioneering work opened doors for diverse voices in sports journalism and continues to influence writers today.

Born in New York City, Scott Crary began making films focused on creative subcultures and the arts. His debut feature documentary, Kill Your Idols (2006), premiered at SXSW and examined New York's art-punk scene. The film featured interviews with influential artists from Sonic Youth, Television, and other seminal bands. He later directed Beauty Is Embarrassing (2012), a portrait of artist Wayne White that premiered at film festivals. Crary has produced and written independent documentaries and shorts, earning praise for his immersive storytelling. He remains active in film and music communities, capturing unique cultural movements through his work.