June 01

Born in Cape Town in 1708, Wolraad Woltemade worked as a dairy farmer for the Dutch East India Company. He is famed for repeatedly riding his horse into stormy seas to rescue sailors from shipwrecks off the Cape coast. In June 1773, during the wreck of the ship De Jonge Thomas, he saved dozens of survivors by venturing into the surf. Tragically, he drowned while attempting to bring more victims to shore himself. His selfless actions earned him legendary status and inspired memorials and place names in South Africa. Woltemade remains celebrated as a national hero for his bravery and sacrifice.

Born in 1804 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, he became editor of the Novascotian at age 21 and used the press to campaign for reform. In 1835, he defended himself against a libel charge in a landmark trial that secured freedom of the press in British North America. He entered politics in 1840, advocating responsible government and opposing colonial patronage. Elected Premier of Nova Scotia in 1860, he focused on infrastructure development, public education, and judicious spending. Although he initially opposed Canadian Confederation, he later served in the federal House of Commons after 1867. He is celebrated as a founding figure in Canadian democracy and journalism.

Napoléon, Prince Imperial, was born in 1856 as the only child of Emperor Napoleon III and Empress Eugénie. He became heir to the French imperial throne after his father's fall from power in 1870. Raised in exile in England, he sought a military career and joined the British army. In 1879 he served as an observer during the Anglo-Zulu War in South Africa. At age 23, he was killed by Zulu warriors, bringing a premature end to the Bonaparte dynasty. His life and untimely death have remained a poignant chapter in European history.

Lizzie Borden was born in 1860 in Fall River, Massachusetts. In 1892, she was tried for the brutal axe murders of her father and stepmother. Her sensational trial gripped the nation and ended in acquittal. Despite the verdict, public opinion remained sharply divided on her guilt. She and her sister Emma later ran a private boarding house, shunning the spotlight. Her story inspired verse, folklore, and enduring speculation over the mystery. Lizzie Borden remains a haunting figure in American true crime history.

Paula Hitler was the youngest sister of Adolf Hitler, born in Austria in 1896. She maintained a distant relationship with her brother and avoided political involvement. After World War II, she lived under an assumed name and worked as a secretary in Berchtesgaden. Paula inherited a small pension from her brother but remained largely out of the public eye. She died in 1960, remembered chiefly for her family connection rather than personal achievements.

Born in Tehran in 1957 to a prominent political family. She studied hydrology and environmental management before turning to human rights work. Became a vocal advocate for democracy, women's rights, and humanitarian causes in Iran. She was detained multiple times for her activism and support of opposition movements. She died in 2011 under controversial circumstances during her father's funeral proceedings. Her courage and dedication continue to inspire human rights defenders worldwide.