July 08

Born around 1475 in Spain, Diego de Almagro was a key lieutenant of Francisco Pizarro during the conquest of the Inca Empire. He later led an expedition south of Peru, becoming one of the first Europeans to reach present-day Chile. Known for his ambition and rivalry with Pizarro, Almagro’s ventures helped expand Spanish influence in South America. His conflict with colonial authorities culminated in his execution in 1538. Almagro’s legacy endures as a symbol of early Spanish exploration and conquest in the New World.

Lars-Eric Lindblad (born 1927) founded Lindblad Travel in 1954 and is often called the ‘father of eco-tourism.’ He led the first tourist expedition to Antarctica in 1966 and opened the Galapagos Islands to travelers in 1967. His voyages emphasized conservation, education, and respectful engagement with fragile ecosystems. Lindblad authored several books documenting his travels and advocating for environmental protection. He expanded expedition tourism to include the Arctic, the Amazon, and other remote destinations around the globe. He passed away in 1994, leaving a legacy of sustainable travel and global awareness of conservation issues.

Pete Conrad (born 1930) graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and served as a naval aviator before joining NASA. He flew as pilot on Gemini 5 in 1965, setting endurance records and demonstrating long-duration spaceflight. As commander of Apollo 12 in 1969, he became the third human to walk on the lunar surface. Conrad later commanded Skylab 2, where he led the mission to repair America’s first space station. He logged over 500 hours in space and was awarded multiple presidential and military honors. He passed away in 1999, remembered for his daring spirit and contributions to human space exploration.