June 22

George Vancouver served as a lieutenant under Captain James Cook before leading his own expedition to the North American west coast. From 1791 to 1795, he commanded HMS Discovery on a voyage that produced some of the most accurate maps of Alaska, British Columbia, and Washington state. His careful surveys of Puget Sound and other waterways laid the foundation for future settlements. Vancouver's name lives on in Vancouver Island and the city of Vancouver in Canada. His work greatly advanced European knowledge of the Pacific Northwest.

Anne Morrow Lindbergh (1906–2001) was an American aviator, author, and wife of famed pilot Charles Lindbergh. She earned her pilot’s license in 1928 and joined her husband on record-setting flights, becoming one of the first licensed female passengers on solo Atlantic crossings. Lindbergh’s memoir 'Gift from the Sea' became a bestseller, offering profound meditations on life, love, and solitude. Her writings and lectures on aviation and literature inspired a generation of women. Throughout her life, she balanced her passion for flight with a prolific literary career, leaving a lasting impact on both fields.

John Hunt, 1st Baron Hunt, was a distinguished British Army officer and mountaineer renowned for leading the successful 1953 British Everest expedition. Under his leadership, Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay reached the summit, marking a milestone in exploration history. Hunt brought military precision and logistical expertise to high-altitude climbing, pioneering techniques still used today. After Everest, he continued to serve in the army, reaching the rank of lieutenant colonel and later contributing to mountain rescue and training. His leadership and organizational skills in extreme conditions have inspired generations of adventurers.

Yuri Artyukhin was selected as part of the Soviet Union's elite cosmonaut group in the 1960s. He served as a Russian Air Force colonel and played a key role in space engineering programs. Artyukhin participated in experiments aboard orbital stations, advancing life support and spacesuit technology. His technical expertise bridged military discipline and scientific inquiry in the quest for human spaceflight. Beyond his missions, he mentored the next generation of cosmonauts and engineers before his passing in 1998.

Walter Bonatti was one of the most influential mountaineers of the 20th century. He completed pioneering ascents in the Alps and Himalayas, often solo and without supplemental oxygen. As a journalist, he documented his adventures with vivid prose that brought high-altitude exploration to readers worldwide. Bonatti's fearless spirit and eloquent storytelling inspired generations of climbers and adventure enthusiasts. He was honored by climbing communities for his contributions to mountaineering culture until his passing in 2011.