July 08

Qatr al-Nada was a prominent wife of Caliph al-Mu'tadid, who ruled the Abbasid Caliphate from 892 to 902. Believed to be of noble lineage, she entered the caliphal harem and gained the favor of the caliph. Her presence at court was noted for its elegance and ceremonial significance during official receptions. Although historical records about her personal life are scarce, she is credited with influencing courtly etiquette and patronage networks. Qatr al-Nada bore several children, securing dynastic succession and alliances. She may have supported charitable works and maintained connections with intellectual circles. After her death in 900, she was remembered in court chronicles for her dignified bearing. Her life reflects the complex roles of royal women in the political and cultural life of the Abbasid empire.

Richard Mique served as First Architect to the King’s Household under Louis XVI. He is best known for creating the Petit Trianon and the Hameau de la Reine at Versailles, reflecting a refined neoclassical aesthetic. Born in Nancy, Mique trained under prominent architects before rising to royal favor. His elegant designs for Marie Antoinette’s country retreats exemplify the transition from Baroque to neoclassical architecture. Mique’s career ended during the French Revolution, and he was executed in 1794.

Ellen Oliver (1870-1921) was a British suffragette who advocated for women's voting rights and social purity causes. As a member of various organizations, she organized rallies, delivered speeches, and confronted politicians to demand equality. Oliver linked the suffrage movement with temperance and moral reform, believing that social purity could empower women. Her activism contributed to the passage of women's suffrage legislation in the early 20th century United Kingdom. She died in 1921, before gaining full voting rights, and is remembered as a determined crusader for social justice.

Joe McDonnell (1951–1981) was an Irish Republican Army volunteer who became one of the ten men to die in the 1981 hunger strike in Northern Ireland's Maze Prison. Born in Bellaghy, he joined the IRA and was convicted of attempted murder and possession of firearms. On March 1, 1981, McDonnell began a hunger strike demanding recognition of IRA prisoners as political detainees. He died on July 8 after 61 days without food, drawing international attention to the prisoners' cause and influencing subsequent republican political strategy. McDonnell's sacrifice remains a powerful symbol of resistance during The Troubles.

Born in 1928, Abdul Sattar Edhi devoted his life to caring for the poor, homeless, and destitute across Pakistan. He founded the Edhi Foundation, which grew into the world's largest volunteer ambulance service. Under his leadership, the foundation expanded into orphanages, shelters, clinics, and rehabilitation centers. Known for his simple lifestyle and humility, he refused any government salary and lived modestly. His unwavering commitment to human welfare earned him international accolades, including prestigious humanitarian awards. He passed away in 2016, leaving a legacy of compassion and service that continues through the foundation he established.