July 07

Tile Kolup emerged in 1285 claiming to be Emperor Frederick II, who had died fourteen years earlier. He gained significant popular support in Swabia and challenged the legitimacy of King Rudolf I. His imposture exposed the lingering loyalties to the Hohenstaufen dynasty among German nobles and peasants. The movement behind Kolup alarmed the ruling prince-electors and posed a threat to imperial authority. Ultimately, he was captured and executed, ending a notable episode of political unrest in late 13th-century Germany.

Penelope Blount was born in 1563 and married into the powerful Devonshire peerage. As Countess of Devonshire, she managed extensive estates and social affairs in the royal court. She was known for her patronage of the arts and involvement in noble family alliances. Blount maintained a prominent position in both Elizabeth I’s and James I’s circles. Her life reflects the roles and responsibilities of aristocratic women in early modern England. Her legacy provides insight into the political and social dynamics of the English nobility.

Alexei Petrovich, born in 1690, was the eldest son of Tsar Peter the Great and his first wife. Raised with high expectations, he struggled with military discipline and his father’s harsh reforms. Alexei became involved in a conspiracy against Peter and fled to Austria, seeking protection. Summoned back to Russia, he was tried for treason and died under mysterious circumstances in 1718. His death remains a dark chapter in Russian history, symbolizing conflicts in Peter’s modernization drive. Alexei’s legacy highlights the personal costs of sweeping social and political transformation.

Born in Calais around 1690, Levasseur served in the French navy before turning to piracy. He captained the pirate ship ‘Bellone’ and became notorious for bold attacks on East India Company vessels. Legends surround his hidden treasure, said to be buried on the Seychelles and still sought by treasure hunters. Captured in 1730 on Réunion Island, he was executed by hanging, reportedly tossing a cryptic cipher to the crowd. His daring exploits and the mystery of his loot have made him a legendary figure in pirate lore. Levasseur’s story continues to fascinate enthusiasts of maritime adventure and treasure hunting.

In the aftermath of President Abraham Lincoln's assassination on April 14, 1865, Mary Surratt, George Atzerodt, David Herold, and Lewis Powell were arrested for their involvement in the conspiracy. A military tribunal found all four guilty, marking the first time a woman, Mary Surratt, faced capital punishment by the U.S. government. They were held at the Old Arsenal Penitentiary in Washington, D.C., where intense public interest surrounded their trial and fate. On July 7, 1865, the sentences were carried out by hanging, drawing crowds and intense media coverage. The executions brought a measure of closure to a nation reeling from Civil War and the loss of its leader. The event has since been remembered as a stark moment in American legal and political history.

George Atzerodt was born in Germany in 1833 and emigrated to the United States as a child. He became involved in John Wilkes Booth's plot to assassinate President Lincoln and other government leaders. Assigned to assassinate Vice President Andrew Johnson, Atzerodt ultimately failed to carry out his mission. He fled but was soon captured and tried by a military commission in Washington, D.C. Atzerodt was convicted of conspiracy and hanged on July 7, 1865, at the Old Arsenal Penitentiary. His hesitation on the night of Lincoln's assassination remains a notable aspect of the tragic event.

David Herold was born in Maryland in 1842 and became an active participant in John Wilkes Booth's conspiracy. On the night of April 14, 1865, he helped Booth flee Ford's Theatre and transported him across the Potomac River. Herold accompanied Booth through Virginia in an attempt to evade government forces. He was captured at Garrett's Farm on April 26, 1865, alongside Booth's accomplice Lewis Powell. Tried by a military tribunal, Herold was found guilty of conspiring to assassinate the President. He was hanged on July 7, 1865, earning infamy as one of the key figures in the Lincoln assassination escape.

Lewis Powell was born in Florida in 1844 and served as a Confederate soldier during the American Civil War. Recruited by John Wilkes Booth, Powell was assigned to assassinate Secretary of State William Seward. He brutally assaulted Seward in his home on the night of April 14, 1865, nearly killing him. Powell escaped but was captured at the boarding house of Mary Surratt. Convicted by a military commission, he was sentenced to death for his role in the conspiracy. He was hanged on July 7, 1865, remembered for his violent attack on a key government official.

Mary Surratt (1823–1865) was an American boardinghouse proprietor in Washington, D.C.\nShe was implicated in the conspiracy to assassinate President Abraham Lincoln in 1865.\nAfter a military tribunal convicted her of aiding conspirators, she was sentenced to death.\nOn July 7, 1865, she became the first woman executed by the U.S. federal government.\nHer trial and controversial execution highlighted issues of due process and gender in the post–Civil War era.\nSurratt’s story has inspired numerous works of historical fiction and drama.

Born in 1896, Ali Naci Karacan emerged as a leading figure in Turkish journalism during the early Republic era. He founded and managed several newspapers and magazines, advocating for press freedom and modern journalistic standards. Karacan's publications gained wide readership and played a key role in shaping public opinion. He supported young writers and fostered literary contributions in his newspapers. Throughout his career, he remained committed to objective reporting and editorial innovation. He died in 1955, leaving a lasting legacy in the Turkish media landscape.

Born in Newark in 1905, Schary began his career as a writer for MGM before rising to head of production at RKO Pictures. He produced acclaimed films such as "The Best Years of Our Lives," winning critical praise for his socially conscious storytelling. Schary also directed and wrote screenplays that explored complex human dramas. Later, he served as president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, advocating for the art and industry of cinema. His contributions helped shape Hollywood's Golden Age until his death in 1980.

Dorian Leigh (1917-2008) was an American fashion model whose striking looks and poise helped define the golden age of modeling. She was one of the highest-paid models of the late 1940s and graced the covers of Harper's Bazaar, Vogue, and Life magazines. Leigh became a muse for top photographers and designers, influencing the standards of beauty in the fashion industry. She launched her own modeling agency and managed the early career of her sister, model Suzy Parker. Her memoirs and interviews offer a rare glimpse into the evolving world of haute couture. Leigh's elegant presence and entrepreneurial spirit left a lasting mark on fashion history.