April 19

Sarah Bagley (1806–1889) was a pioneering labor activist during America's Industrial Revolution. Working in the textile mills of Lowell, Massachusetts, she experienced firsthand the harsh conditions of long workdays. In response, Bagley founded the Lowell Female Labor Reform Association in 1844 to campaign for a ten-hour workday. She authored letters and articles in labor journals, becoming one of the first women to lobby state legislators. Her advocacy laid important groundwork for later labor reforms and women's participation in organized movements.

Alice Salomon was born in Berlin in 1872 and dedicated her life to improving social welfare and advancing women's rights. She founded the German Academy for Social and Educational Welfare, one of the first institutions to offer formal training in social work. Salomon authored influential texts on social pedagogy and worked tirelessly to establish social services for vulnerable populations. After facing persecution during the Nazi era, she continued her advocacy in exile. Today, she is revered as a founding figure of modern social work.

Ole Evinrude was born in Norway in 1877 and emigrated to the United States at age 19. In 1909, he developed and patented the first successful outboard motor, revolutionizing small-boat propulsion. Evinrude founded the Evinrude Motor Company, turning his invention into a worldwide business. His innovations made boating more accessible and affordable and laid the groundwork for modern marine engineering. Today, the Evinrude name remains synonymous with outboard motors.

Jiroemon Kimura was born in 1897 in Kyoto Prefecture and worked as a postal clerk and farmer. He attributed his longevity to a simple lifestyle and regular physical activity. In 2012, at age 115, he was confirmed by Guinness World Records as the oldest living man. Kimura reached age 116 years and 54 days before passing in 2013. His life attracted global attention and inspired research on healthy aging.

Eliot Ness earned national renown as the leader of a special Prohibition enforcement team dubbed the 'Untouchables'. His squad was celebrated for its integrity and unyielding tactics in combating organized crime in 1930s Chicago. Ness's efforts played a key role in securing the conviction of notorious gangster Al Capone for tax evasion. After his federal service, he served as Safety Director in Cleveland, fighting corruption and improving public safety. His exploits inspired numerous books, films, and a popular television series, cementing his status as an icon of law enforcement. Ness remains a symbol of determination and incorruptibility in the fight against crime.

Antonio Carluccio was an Italian-English chef, restaurateur, and food writer. He co-founded the famous Italian restaurant chain Carluccio's in London. Carluccio authored numerous bestselling cookbooks and hosted cooking series on television. His approachable style and passion for regional Italian produce influenced generations of home cooks. He received an OBE for his services to the culinary arts before his death in 2017.

Michel Roux was a French-English chef and restaurateur who revolutionized fine dining in Britain. Along with his brother Albert, he opened Le Gavroche, the first UK restaurant to earn three Michelin stars. Roux trained a generation of British chefs and established a culinary empire of restaurants and cookbooks. He combined classical French techniques with British ingredients to create a new standard of excellence. His contributions to gastronomy were recognized with numerous awards until his death in 2020.