May 02

Born in 1895, Hoover joined the Department of Justice in 1917 and rose quickly through its ranks. He established the Federal Bureau of Investigation in 1935 and served as its director for 37 years. Hoover built a centralized fingerprint file and crime laboratory, professionalizing the FBI. Under his leadership, the bureau conducted major investigations of gangsters and spies. He also sparked controversy for surveillance programs targeting political activists. Hoover remained in office until his death in 1972, leaving a complex legacy.

Osama bin Laden was born in 1957 to a wealthy Saudi family and became radicalized in the 1980s during the Soviet–Afghan War. He founded al-Qaeda in 1988, a network that carried out numerous terrorist attacks including the 1998 US embassy bombings and the 2001 attacks in New York and Washington, D.C. Bin Laden’s ideology and leadership propelled al-Qaeda to global prominence in militant Islamist extremism. He evaded capture for years while operating in Afghanistan and Pakistan. On May 2, 2011, he was killed by US Navy SEALs in Abbottabad, Pakistan. His death marked a significant moment in the international fight against terrorism and continues to influence global security policies.

Colonel Stuart Archer GC (1915–2015) was a British Army officer celebrated for his courage as a bomb disposal expert in World War II, earning the George Cross in 1940. Born in Birmingham, he joined the Royal Engineers and safely defused hundreds of unexploded ordnances across war-torn Britain. After the war, Archer studied architecture at the Birmingham School of Architecture and established his own practice. He contributed to the post-war reconstruction of British cities, designing civic buildings and residential projects. Archer also documented his wartime experiences in lectures and publications, inspiring future generations of military engineers. His dual legacy as a war hero and visionary architect remains a testament to resilience and creativity.

Afeni Shakur (1947–2016) was an American music businesswoman and activist who emerged as a prominent member of the Black Panther Party. Born in North Carolina, she moved to New York City and became a defense lawyer and organizer before her membership in the Panthers. After the death of her son, rapper Tupac Shakur, she founded Amaru Entertainment in 1997 to preserve and promote his musical legacy, overseeing multiple platinum albums. Shakur also established the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation for arts education and community outreach. Throughout her life, she advocated for social justice, women's rights, and youth empowerment, often speaking at schools and conferences. Her leadership in both politics and business made her a respected figure in cultural and civil rights movements. Shakur received several accolades for her work in music and humanitarian efforts.