May 16

Grace Elliott moved in the highest circles of 18th-century society, offering her companionship to European nobility. She used her position to secretly pass information to the French émigré community. Her salon in Paris became a hub for counter-revolutionary plots. Despite the danger, she maintained discreet contacts with British and Swiss diplomats. Her memoirs provide a vivid account of court life and espionage during a tumultuous era. Her legacy endures as one of history’s most intriguing female spies.

Nigger was born during World War II and became the beloved mascot of 617 Squadron, known as the Dambusters. He often accompanied Wing Commander Guy Gibson on missions, boosting squadron morale. His name, now considered offensive, reflected different historical norms. Nigger tragically died in an aircraft accident in 1943 while returning from a raid over Germany. He is remembered by historians as the loyal companion to one of the RAF's most famous squadrons.

Eliot Ness (1903–1957) was an American Prohibition agent and law enforcement officer who headed the legendary 'Untouchables' squad. Tasked with enforcing Prohibition in Chicago, his team targeted Al Capone's illegal breweries and speakeasies. Ness's efforts contributed to Capone's eventual conviction for tax evasion. After Prohibition, he served as Cleveland's Public Safety Director, where he implemented police and fire department reforms. Ness struggled with politics and personal challenges later in life. He died in 1957, and his legacy lives on through books, films, and television adaptations.

George A. Malcolm (1881–1961) was an American lawyer and jurist instrumental in developing the judiciary of the Philippines during American colonial rule. After serving as a legal advisor, he was appointed Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines in 1917. Malcolm also became the first dean of the University of the Philippines College of Law, training generations of Filipino lawyers. He advocated for judicial independence and helped draft key legal codes. Returning to the United States later in life, he continued to practice law until his death in 1961. Malcolm's contributions had a lasting impact on Philippine jurisprudence.

A. Philip Randolph (1889–1979) was a trailblazing American union leader and social activist. In 1925, he founded the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, the first predominantly African American labor union, fighting for fair wages and working conditions. Randolph pressured President Franklin D. Roosevelt to issue Executive Order 8802, banning discrimination in defense industries. He was a key figure in the planning of the 1963 March on Washington, advocating for civil rights and economic justice. Randolph's leadership influenced labor and civil rights movements for decades. He passed away in 1979, leaving a legacy of social reform and equality.

Born in 1903, Durbrow joined the U.S. Foreign Service and held posts in Europe and Asia before his ambassadorship. He was appointed Ambassador to South Vietnam in 1961, navigating complex political tensions during Diem's regime. Durbrow advocated for political reforms and expressed concerns about the stability of South Vietnam's leadership. His tenure coincided with escalating conflict and set the stage for deeper American involvement. After his service in Saigon, he served in other senior diplomatic roles until his retirement.

Ieoh Ming Pei was born in 1917 in Guangzhou, China, and studied architecture at MIT and the Harvard Graduate School of Design under Walter Gropius. Pei's early notable works include the John F. Kennedy Library in Boston and the Bank of China Tower in Hong Kong. His most famous project, the glass pyramid at the Louvre in Paris, skilfully merged modern design with historic architecture. Over his career, he received the Pritzker Architecture Prize, the AIA Gold Medal, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Pei's designs are celebrated for their clarity, geometric form, and respectful integration with their surroundings. He established I. M. Pei & Partners, fostering a global practice that influenced generations of architects. Pei passed away in 2019 at the age of 102, leaving a profound mark on modern architecture.