June 03

Born in 1949, Michael Gaughan was a member of the Irish Republican Army. He was imprisoned in the Maze Prison for his involvement in the republican campaign. In 1974, he joined a hunger strike to protest the removal of political status for IRA prisoners. After 64 days without food, he died on June 3, 1974, drawing international attention. His death became a rallying point for the republican movement and inspired later protests.

Born in Pontiac, Michigan, Kevorkian earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia. He became known as 'Dr. Death' for creating devices that enabled terminally ill patients to end their own lives. Kevorkian wrote several books and appeared on national television to argue for the right to die with dignity. In 1999, he was convicted of second-degree murder after administering a lethal injection to a patient. He served eight years in prison and remained a polarizing figure in debates over medical ethics. After his release, Kevorkian continued to write and speak on end-of-life issues until his death in 2011. He left a lasting impact on discussions about euthanasia and patient autonomy.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Abrams earned her degree at the University of Pennsylvania. She taught media studies at universities such as the New School and Columbia University. Abrams co-produced television specials and documentaries alongside her husband, Gerald W. Abrams. She authored books on storytelling and its impact on audiences. As an academic, she mentored students and advocated for diversity in media. Her contributions bridged the gap between media production and scholarly research. Abrams passed away in 2012, leaving a legacy through her family and work in media education.

Born in Berlin, Chitnis moved to India and became a pioneer in the Linux and open source community. He was the principal organizer of FOSS.in, one of Asia's largest free and open source conferences. Chitnis wrote extensively on technology for leading magazines and online platforms. He worked as a consultant and speaker, promoting open standards and software freedom. His efforts helped build a vibrant developer community across India and neighboring countries. Chitnis mentored young technologists and supported educational initiatives in computing. He passed away in 2013, leaving a profound impact on India's technology landscape.

F. Lee Bailey was born in 1933 in Waltham, Massachusetts, and earned his law degree from Boston University. He rose to prominence in the 1960s with his defense of Dr. Sam Sheppard, securing an acquittal in a highly publicized murder trial. Bailey later joined the 'Dream Team' defending O.J. Simpson in 1995, using innovative cross-examination techniques that captivated global audiences. Known for his courtroom flair and meticulous preparation, he handled more than 20,000 cases over his career. Bailey also lectured on legal ethics and criminal defense strategies at law schools across the country. His practice was marked by both celebrated victories and professional controversies, including disbarment in Florida. He passed away on June 3, 2021, remembered as one of the most influential trial lawyers in American history.