April 15

Maria Schicklgruber was born in Austria in 1795 and lived in a modest rural community. She married and gave birth to Alois Hitler in 1837, who later became the father of Adolf Hitler. As Adolf Hitler's grandmother, her name is linked to one of the most studied families in history. Very few personal records survive to shed light on her daily life. She died in 1847, long before her grandson's rise to power. Her legacy endures primarily through her connection to the Hitler lineage.

Born in 1889, Asa Philip Randolph founded the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, the first predominantly African American labor union. He became a leading voice for civil rights and labor reforms, advocating for desegregation of the armed forces and equal employment opportunities. Randolph was a principal organizer of the 1963 March on Washington, where he requested Martin Luther King Jr. to speak. His lifelong dedication to justice earned him the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He passed away in 1979, leaving a profound legacy in both labor and civil rights movements.

Born in Haarlem in 1892 into a devout Christian family, Ten Boom took over her father's watchmaking business. She and her sister Betsie turned their home into a secret refuge for Jews fleeing Nazi persecution. In 1944 they were arrested and deported to concentration camps, where Betsie died and Corrie survived. After the war she traveled the world as a speaker, sharing her testimony of faith and forgiveness. She authored the best-selling memoir "The Hiding Place", inspiring generations with her story. Ten Boom passed away in 1983 at the age of 91.

Born in 1895 in the Dominican Republic, Mejia became a leading voice for women's emancipation and national identity. She co-founded the country's first feminist organizations and campaigned for women's suffrage and educational opportunities. As a literary critic and educator, she published essays and organized cultural salons to promote Dominican literature. Mejia's advocacy extended to nationalist causes, where she supported cultural autonomy and social reform. Her writings and speeches influenced early 20th-century feminist thought in Latin America. She died in 1941, leaving a lasting impact on the feminist movement in her homeland.

Fernando Pessa (1902–2002) was one of Portugal's first broadcast journalists and a pioneering correspondent for the BBC during World War II. He reported live from London during the Blitz and covered major events of the conflict with clarity and courage. After the war, Pessa became a leading figure in Portuguese public broadcasting and mentored a generation of journalists. He received numerous honors including the Grand Cross of the Order of Prince Henry. His career spanned over seven decades, making him a living archive of twentieth-century history.

Robert Edison Fulton Jr. (1909–2004) was an American inventor and adventurer who achieved fame for a 1932–33 expedition in an amphibious car. He undertook an 85,000-mile journey across six continents, documenting his travels through film and photography. Fulton held patents in automotive and broadcasting technologies and worked as a newsreel cameraman. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers contributing technical expertise. His life combined innovation with the thrill of exploration, inspiring future adventurers.

Robert DePugh (1923–2009) was an American activist best known for establishing the Minutemen, a paramilitary group organized to oppose perceived communist threats in the United States. Founded in the 1960s, the organization conducted armed training camps and surveillance of suspected subversive activities. DePugh's leadership reflected the intense anti-communist sentiment of the era, drawing both support and criticism. His activities attracted scrutiny from federal authorities, yet he maintained a dedicated following among right-wing activists. In his later years, DePugh continued advocating for civil defense and individual liberties. His legacy remains controversial, illustrating the fine line between patriotic vigilance and extremist vigilantism.

Kenneth Bloomfield was a distinguished Northern Irish civil servant, leading the Northern Ireland Civil Service from 1984 to 1990 during a pivotal period of the Troubles. He oversaw administrative reforms and fostered cross-community initiatives aimed at peacebuilding in Northern Ireland. After retiring, he chaired the Northern Ireland Office's Review Body on Teachers' Pay and the Consultative Group on the Past. Bloomfield also held academic positions and authored papers on governance and reconciliation. His efforts contributed to laying groundwork for the Good Friday Agreement. He passed away in 2025, leaving a legacy of public service and dedication to peace.

Stuart Prebble began his career as a newspaper journalist before transitioning to television. He produced award-winning documentaries and current affairs programs for the BBC, earning a reputation for in-depth storytelling. Prebble later served in executive roles at major broadcast channels, commissioning popular factual series and entertainment formats. He also founded his own production company, delivering content for both UK and international audiences. His work has been recognized with industry awards for innovation in factual television.

Dodi Fayed was an Egyptian film producer who played a key role in the international film industry during the 1980s and 1990s. He co-produced films such as Chariots of Fire and was involved in his family’s production company. Fayed became globally known through his relationship with Diana, Princess of Wales. His life was tragically cut short in a car accident in Paris in 1997. Despite his early death, his contributions to cinema and his high-profile personal life left a lasting mark on popular culture.

Fruit Chan is a Hong Kong film director, producer and screenwriter who emerged in the 1990s independent cinema scene. He gained attention with his debut feature "Made in Hong Kong", a raw depiction of youth culture and social marginalization. His work often explores the lives of ordinary people against the backdrop of economic change and identity struggles. Chan has produced and written numerous films, collaborating with emerging talent and fostering new voices in Asian cinema. His innovative style and commitment to independent filmmaking have earned him critical praise at international festivals. He continues to shape Hong Kong cinema with thought-provoking stories that bridge local authenticity and global themes.

Susanne Bier is an award-winning Danish filmmaker whose work is celebrated for its emotional depth and realism. She received the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film for "In a Better World" in 2011. Her notable films include "Brothers", "After the Wedding" and "Open Hearts", often exploring themes of family, grief and morality. Bier has bridged Nordic cinema and Hollywood, directing English-language features such as "Things We Lost in the Fire" and the Netflix thriller "Bird Box". Her collaborations with top actors and writers have earned international festival accolades and critical acclaim. Known for intimate storytelling and strong performances, Bier continues to be a leading voice in contemporary global cinema.