June 25

Richard Grey (1458–1483) was the son of Elizabeth Woodville from her first marriage and the half-brother of King Edward V. He was appointed joint guardian of the young king following Edward IV's death. Grey's guardianship was abruptly ended when Richard III declared Edward V illegitimate and seized the throne. Arrested for his loyalty to Edward's claim, he was executed at Pontefract Castle in June 1483. His death exemplifies the brutal struggle for power that defined the late Plantagenet dynasty and the fate of the Princes in the Tower.

Boston Custer was born in 1848 in Ohio, younger brother of George Armstrong Custer. He worked as a civilian contractor and packer for the U.S. Army's 7th Cavalry. Despite not holding a military commission, he accompanied the regiment on campaigns. Boston was killed at the Battle of the Little Bighorn in 1876 alongside his brothers. His involvement highlights the roles of civilians in military expeditions. He is remembered for his dedication and tragic end in a famous American battle.

Arthur Goldstein emerged as a vocal socialist and advocate for Jewish workers during the turbulent Weimar Republic era. He organized labor events, delivered impassioned speeches, and contributed to left-wing publications. Goldstein’s activism placed him at the forefront of anti-fascist movements as extremist groups gained power. Following the Nazi rise in 1933, he faced persecution for both his political beliefs and his heritage. He died in 1943, remembered as a courageous voice for equality and justice under oppressive circumstances.

Charles Starkweather was born in 1938 in Lincoln, Nebraska. In a ten-day killing spree across Nebraska and Wyoming in early 1958, he murdered 11 people, often accompanied by his teenage girlfriend, Caril Ann Fugate. The brutality and scale of his crimes captured national attention and inspired books and films. Starkweather was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. He was executed by electric chair at Nebraska State Penitentiary on June 25, 1959. His case remains a chilling example of post-war American violence.

Olave Baden-Powell was born in 1889 in Chester, England. She married Lieutenant-General Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of the Boy Scout movement. In 1918, she became the first Chief Guide of the Girl Guides Association in Britain. As World Chief Guide from 1930, she traveled globally to expand guiding and foster international friendship. Her leadership helped empower girls and young women through structured outdoor activities and community service. She served the movement for nearly six decades, advocating for youth education and leadership. Baden-Powell passed away on June 25, 1977, leaving a lasting legacy in Scouting worldwide.

Felipe Cossío del Pomar was born in Peru in 1888 and studied art across Europe, engaging with avant-garde movements. He co-founded the painting school in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, fostering a vibrant international artist community. Deeply committed to cultural and political causes, he advocated for indigenous rights in Peru and founded the Instituto Allende. His artwork blended European modernism with Latin American themes, expressing a unique cultural identity. He passed away in 1981, leaving a lasting impact on art education and social activism.

Ronald Gene Simmons was born in 1940 in Pineville, Arkansas and served as a sergeant in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. In 1987, he carried out a killing spree that resulted in the deaths of 14 family members and two others, one of the deadliest mass murders in U.S. history. He evaded capture for several days before surrendering to authorities. Convicted on multiple counts of murder, Simmons was sentenced to death and executed by lethal injection in 1990. His case remains a chilling example of familicide and the impact of extremism and violence.

Born in 1904 in New Zealand, Morton Coutts inherited his family's brewery and devoted himself to improving brewing processes. In the 1940s, he invented the continuous fermentation method, significantly reducing production time and enhancing consistency. His innovation earned him recognition as one of the world's leading brewing scientists. Coutts held several patents and collaborated with breweries across the globe to implement his designs. Beyond brewing, he explored engineering projects ranging from refrigeration to distillation. His inventive spirit and practical approach left a lasting mark on modern brewing technology.

Born in 1918 in the Netherlands, Jaap Penraat joined the resistance movement during World War II, forging documents and organizing escape routes for persecuted Jews. He used his skills as an architect to modify houses with hidden rooms and tunnels, enabling families to evade capture. After the war, Penraat immigrated to the United States, where he continued his advocacy for human rights. He devoted his life to educating others about the Holocaust and promoting tolerance through lectures and interviews. His courageous efforts earned him recognition from Yad Vashem as Righteous Among the Nations. Penraat's story exemplifies individual bravery and the impact one person can have in times of moral crisis.

J. Fred Duckett spent decades informing the public with his clear and engaging journalism. As an educator, he inspired aspiring writers to pursue truth in reporting. His dual career bridged the gap between newsrooms and classrooms, emphasizing the importance of integrity in both fields. Through his work, Duckett fostered a new generation of journalists, stressing the value of curiosity and ethical storytelling. His legacy lives on in the journalists and students he mentored.

Born in 1916, Robert E. Gilka joined National Geographic in 1946 and served as Director of Photography from 1958 to 1985. He oversaw some of the magazine’s most iconic photo essays and mentored a generation of photojournalists. Gilka implemented field editor programs that broadened the geographic scope of the magazine’s coverage, emphasizing in-depth visual storytelling. His leadership helped establish National Geographic’s reputation for stunning imagery and rigorous reporting. He continued to influence the field of photojournalism long after his retirement.

Mildred Ladner Thompson (1918-2013) was an American journalist known for her insightful reporting on social and political matters. She began her career in the mid-20th century, contributing to newspapers and magazines across the United States. Her feature articles highlighted underreported communities and events with clarity and compassion. Thompson traveled extensively to cover stories that shaped public discourse. Her commitment to journalistic integrity earned her the respect of colleagues and readers alike. Throughout her career, she remained dedicated to giving voice to those often overlooked by mainstream media.