May 27

Gaspard Dughet (1613–1675), also known as Gaspard Poussin, was a celebrated Baroque painter specializing in idealized landscapes. Born in Rome to a French family, he trained under his brother-in-law, the famed painter Nicolas Poussin, and adopted his surname professionally. Dughet's works feature classical ruins, dramatic skies, and harmonious compositions that blend nature's beauty with mythic themes. He received commissions from Italian nobility and the Catholic Church, producing frescoes and easel paintings that influenced generations of landscapists. His etchings and drawings disseminated his style across Europe. Dughet's legacy endures in galleries worldwide as a master of Baroque landscape art.

Giovanni Legrenzi (1626–1690) was a pivotal composer of the Baroque era whose works shaped the Venetian musical tradition. Appointed maestro di cappella at the Basilica of San Marco in Venice, he composed operas, oratorios, and instrumental music marked by lyrical melodies and innovative forms. His sonatas, canzonas, and concertos were widely published and admired by contemporaries, influencing composers such as Antonio Vivaldi. Legrenzi excelled in sacred music, writing masses and psalm settings that balanced devotional depth with musical complexity. His blend of pastoral charm and dramatic intensity left a lasting imprint on 17th-century European music.

Niccolò Paganini was born in Genoa, Italy, in 1782. He became the most famous violin virtuoso of his era, dazzling audiences with his technique. Paganini composed groundbreaking works that expanded the violin's technical possibilities. He was rumored to have made a pact with the devil due to his supernatural skill. His tours across Europe influenced countless musicians and composers, including Liszt. He died on May 27, 1840, leaving a legacy as the archetype of the virtuoso performer.

Robert Ripley was born in 1890 in Santa Rosa, California, and began his career as a sports cartoonist for the New York Globe. In 1918, he launched the 'Believe It or Not!' feature, drawing attention to oddities and curiosities worldwide. His keen sense of storytelling and artistry turned the cartoon into a publishing empire, including newspapers, books, radio, and museum attractions. Ripley's blend of fact and flair captivated audiences and popularized the study of the unusual. As a businessman, he expanded his brand into global exhibitions and world fairs. Ripley's legacy endures in the continued popularity of his unique celebration of the bizarre. He died in 1949, leaving behind a worldwide phenomenon.

Born in Pelham, New York, Flagg began selling his illustrations to magazines at age 15 and quickly gained a reputation for his distinctive style. He produced thousands of drawings and posters for Harper’s Weekly, Life, and other leading publications. In 1917, he created the legendary Uncle Sam image with the words "I Want You," which remains a powerful emblem of American patriotism. Beyond propaganda, Flagg painted portraits of presidents, celebrities, and socialites, showcasing his versatility. He also designed book covers and served as an educator at the Art Students League of New York. His prolific body of work continues to influence illustrators and graphic designers today.

Born in Zell, Germany, Miessner emigrated to the United States and pursued music studies at the Cincinnati Conservatory. He joined the faculty at the University of Kansas where he developed innovative programs for teaching music in public schools. Miessner authored textbooks and songbooks that became standard resources for elementary and secondary education nationwide. As a composer, he created choral works and vocal arrangements that were widely performed by school groups. He also served as an adjudicator for regional and national music festivals, influencing music education standards. Miessner’s efforts helped integrate structured music appreciation into American classrooms and inspired generations of music teachers.

Born in Belgrade in 1923 to a musical family, Vasilije Mokranjac studied composition at the Belgrade Music Academy. He developed a distinctive style blending Serbian folk motifs with contemporary harmonic language. Mokranjac composed orchestral works, choral pieces, chamber music, and solo piano repertoire, earning acclaim for his lyrical melodies and structural clarity. He taught composition and music theory at the Belgrade Academy, influencing a generation of Yugoslav composers. His notable works include the 'Symphony No. 1', 'Variations for Orchestra', and choral cycles exploring Slavic themes. Mokranjac's music is celebrated for its emotional depth and contribution to 20th-century Balkan art music. He died on May 27, 1984.

Uncle Charlie Osborne was an American fiddler celebrated for his role in preserving traditional Appalachian music. Born in 1890, he began performing at local dances and gatherings and later gained national attention through radio broadcasts. He entertained U.S. troops during World War II and appeared on shows such as the Grand Ole Opry. Osborne's extensive repertoire and energetic style influenced a generation of folk musicians. His lifelong dedication to old-time fiddling cemented his legacy as one of America’s last great traditional fiddlers.

Luciano Berio was an Italian composer and educator celebrated for his pioneering work in electronic and experimental music. Born in 1925, he studied at the Milan Conservatory before collaborating with composers such as Pierre Boulez and Bruno Maderna. He is best known for his 'Sequenza' series of solo instrumental works and his innovative use of recorded sound. Berio taught at institutions including Harvard University and the Juilliard School, shaping future generations of composers. His groundbreaking explorations of timbre and form transformed contemporary classical music and left a lasting artistic legacy.

Izumi Sakai was the lead singer and primary lyricist of the Japanese pop group Zard, which debuted in 1991. She penned numerous hits such as 'Makenaide' and 'Yureru Omoi', selling over 37 million records. Her gentle voice and emotional songwriting resonated with a generation of fans in the 1990s. Sakai’s career spanned over a decade, during which she wrote songs for other artists and composed charity singles. She maintained a private personal life, rarely appearing in media or television. In 2007, she tragically passed away from a cerebral hemorrhage at the age of 40. Her music continues to influence Japanese pop culture decades later.

Payut Ngaokrachang (1929–2010) was a pioneering Thai animator and film director. He created Thailand’s first cel-animated films in the 1950s and later directed the country’s first feature-length animated movie, The Adventure of Sudsakorn, blending traditional folklore with modern animation techniques. Payut studied abroad in the United States and brought new methods to the Thai film industry upon his return. He founded animation studios, mentored generations of Thai animators, and inspired a national appreciation for animation as an art form. His visionary work laid the foundation for Thailand’s animated film industry.

Gil Scott-Heron (1949–2011) was an American musician, poet, and author whose work blended jazz, blues, and soul with politically charged spoken-word performances. His landmark piece "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" became a manifesto for social change and influenced the development of hip-hop and spoken-word poetry. Scott-Heron released numerous albums exploring themes of race, politics, and urban life, earning acclaim as a radical voice in music. He collaborated with producer Brian Jackson to create fusion classics throughout the 1970s. Despite personal struggles with addiction, his legacy endures through his groundbreaking fusion of art and activism.