April 15

Born in 1864 into the prominent Astor family, he became a successful real estate investor and innovator. He served as a lieutenant colonel during the Spanish-American War, commanding a volunteer regiment. Astor authored popular works of fiction, including A Journey in Other Worlds. He invested in major real estate and technological ventures, commissioning the construction of New York’s Astoria Hotel. On his return from his second marriage, he boarded the Titanic and tragically went down with the ship. At the time of his death, his fortune and status made international headlines, marking him as a symbol of the Gilded Age.

Born October 26, 1865, in Philadelphia, he served as vice president of the Guggenheim mining empire. He boarded the Titanic to accompany his mistress to New York City and assist his business interests. When the ship struck an iceberg, Benjamin changed into his evening wear, famously remarking he would go down like a gentleman. He helped women and children into lifeboats and calmly accepted his fate. His chivalry and composure amid disaster have become legendary in maritime history.

Born in 1866 in New York City, Harris became a leading figure in American theatre production. He managed the Harris Theatre and nurtured the careers of many notable performers. Hoping to expand his theatrical ventures, he booked passage on the RMS Titanic to visit Europe. When the liner sank, he perished, leaving behind a legacy of innovation in theatre management. His influence on Broadway production standards endures to this day.

Born in 1856 in Ellsworth, Maine, Hays climbed the ranks to become president of the Grand Trunk Railway. He was aboard the Titanic to oversee expansion plans for his railway in North America. When disaster struck, he assisted passengers and urged calm during the evacuation. His commitment to innovation in transportation shaped Canada’s rail infrastructure. Hays’s death marked the end of a storied career in railway leadership.

Born in Worms, Germany, in 1849, Ida Straus immigrated to the United States as a young woman. She married Isidor Straus, co-owner of Macy’s department store, and helped oversee the family business. Their partnership symbolized loyalty and mutual respect in both personal and professional life. When the Titanic began to sink, Ida refused a seat on a lifeboat to stay with her husband. Their tragic story of love and sacrifice remains one of the most enduring tales of the Titanic disaster.

Isidor Straus was a German-born American businessman and co-owner of Macy's department store. Born on February 6, 1845, in Otterberg, Germany, he immigrated to the United States with his family as a child. Straus joined Macy's with his brother Nathan, helping to transform it into one of America's leading retailers. He served as a U.S. Congressman from New York in 1894-1895, advocating for commerce and public welfare. A devoted philanthropist, he supported educational and social causes throughout his life. In 1912, at age 67, he perished aboard the RMS Titanic, famously refusing a seat in a lifeboat before the ship sank.

John Borland Thayer II was an American railroad executive and accomplished amateur athlete. Born on February 3, 1862, in Haverford, Pennsylvania, he graduated from the University of Pennsylvania. He joined the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1883, rising to the role of vice president and director of operations. Thayer was also a talented cricketer and lawn tennis player, representing his club in national competitions. He survived the initial sinking of the Titanic but reentered the ship to search for his son, ultimately perishing. His leadership in the railroad industry and athletic achievements left a lasting legacy when he died in 1912.