May 25

John Spenkelink was convicted in 1974 for the abduction and murder of a hitchhiker, leading to a high-profile trial in Florida. His case reached the U.S. Supreme Court multiple times as he challenged his death sentence under constitutional grounds. In 1979, he became one of the first people executed in Florida after the nationwide reinstatement of capital punishment in 1976. The circumstances of his execution and his persistent appeals drew extensive media coverage and public protests. His controversial case continues to be cited in debates over the ethics and legality of the death penalty in America.

Born in 1936, Ismail Merchant partnered with director James Ivory to form Merchant Ivory Productions in 1961. Their collaboration produced acclaimed films like 'A Room with a View' and 'Howard's End'. Merchant oversaw production and financing, bringing literary adaptations to the screen with elegance and fidelity. He won international awards for his work and became a respected figure in independent cinema. He died in 2005, leaving a legacy of influential art-house films.

Born in 1976 in Belarus, Uładzimir Katkoŭski was a pioneering figure in the country's blogging scene. He utilized his skills as a web designer and website creator to build platforms that connected Belarusian speakers worldwide. His blogs covered personal insights, technology trends, and local news, engaging a growing audience. Through his innovative approach to web design, he promoted the Belarusian language and culture online. His untimely death in 2007 was widely mourned by those who valued his contributions to digital communication.

Born in 1926 into German nobility, he married socialite Sunny von Bülow in the 1960s and became a fixture in high society. In 1980, his wife fell into a coma under suspicious circumstances, and he was subsequently charged with her attempted murder. After a highly publicized trial, he was convicted, but an appeal led to his acquittal in 1985, overturning the verdict. The case captivated international media and inspired books and films, making him a symbol of scandal and intrigue. He spent his later years largely out of the public eye before his death in 2019.

Born in 1973 in Fayetteville, North Carolina, he moved to Minneapolis for work and community. On May 25, 2020, he died after a police officer knelt on his neck for over nine minutes, in an incident widely recorded on video. His death ignited the largest protests in U.S. history under the banner of the Black Lives Matter movement. Floyd became a powerful symbol in the fight against systemic racism and police brutality worldwide. His legacy has led to ongoing discussions on law enforcement reform and racial equality.