April 20

Born in 1862, Sir Cosmo Duff-Gordon inherited the title of 5th Baronet at a young age. He distinguished himself as a skilled fencer, competing in national tournaments and exhibitions. Following his athletic career, Duff-Gordon managed family estates and pursued a variety of business ventures. He combined his aristocratic responsibilities with entrepreneurial activities, earning respect in both spheres. His multifaceted life reflects the blend of sportsmanship and enterprise in late Victorian and Edwardian Britain.

Born in 1870 in Pärnu, Jüri Jaakson studied law at the University of Tartu before establishing a successful career in banking. He entered politics and was appointed State Elder of Estonia from 1924 to 1925, steering the young republic through economic and political challenges. A proponent of financial stability and legal reform, he helped lay the foundations of Estonia’s democratic institutions. Following the Soviet occupation in 1940, Jaakson was arrested and deported by Soviet authorities. He died in captivity in 1942, remembered for his leadership and dedication to Estonia’s sovereignty.