May 15

Born in Trois-Rivières in 1770, Hart established a successful business in the fur trade and timber industries. In 1807 he was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Lower Canada but was barred from taking his seat due to his Jewish faith. His case sparked public debate on religious tolerance and citizenship rights. Hart remained active as a militia officer and continued to expand his trading ventures. He later regained a seat in the assembly amid growing calls for civil rights. Throughout his life, he advocated for equal treatment of minority groups in colonial politics. Hart died in 1843, remembered for his pioneering role in advancing Jewish civil rights in Canada.

Frank Hornby (1863–1936) was an English businessman and inventor who revolutionized the toy industry by inventing Meccano in 1901. His modular metal construction sets enabled children and hobbyists to build working models of vehicles, buildings, and machines. Hornby later expanded his enterprise to include Dinky Toys and Hornby Model Railways, establishing a global brand. He also entered politics, serving as a Member of Parliament and advocating for education and industrial innovation. Hornby’s entrepreneurial vision and creativity left a lasting impact on learning through play and the development of engineering hobbies.

Born in 1895, Prescott Bush served as a captain in the U.S. Army during World War I. After the war, he joined Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. and became a prominent investment banker. He was elected as a Republican U.S. Senator for Connecticut in 1952 and served until 1963. Bush helped shape postwar economic policies in Washington and built a powerful political network. He is also remembered as the father of President George H. W. Bush and grandfather of President George W. Bush.

Born in 1940 in Warren, Ohio, Roger Ailes started his career as a political media adviser for Republican presidents. He worked on television strategies for Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, and Ronald Reagan, shaping the use of broadcast media in politics. In 1996, Ailes was recruited by Rupert Murdoch to create Fox News Channel, which he led as CEO and president. Under his vision, Fox News grew into the most-watched cable news network, influencing media and political discourse. Ailes was both praised for his business acumen and criticized for his fervent conservative approach and divisive tactics. His tenure ended amid sexual harassment allegations, leading to his resignation in 2016. He passed away in 2017, leaving behind a complex media legacy.

Born in 1942 in Watampone, South Sulawesi, Jusuf Kalla built a successful career in the business sector before entering politics. He led family enterprises in mining, shipping, and real estate, earning recognition as a savvy entrepreneur. Kalla entered national politics in 1999 and was elected Speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly. He served as Indonesia's Vice President from 2004 to 2009 and again from 2014 to 2019, working under Presidents Megawati Sukarnoputri and Joko Widodo. Kalla played a pivotal role in negotiating peace in Aceh Province and mediating domestic conflicts. His leadership and negotiation skills have been recognized with numerous national and international honors. Kalla continues to be a respected elder statesman in Indonesian affairs.