July 12

Kyōgoku Takakazu served as a court noble in medieval Japan, belonging to the Kyōgoku clan. While details of his life are sparse, his status reflects the complexities of aristocratic politics during the Muromachi period. The Kyōgoku family held significant influence in court circles, balancing relationships with the shogunate and the imperial court. Takakazu's death in 1441 coincided with turmoil among rival factions seeking power in Kyoto.

Alexander Cartwright was a founding member of the Knickerbocker Base Ball Club in 1845. Born in 1820 in New York, he helped codify the first set of baseball rules distinguishing it from older bat-and-ball games. His nine-player team format and diamond-shaped infield layout became the standard for modern baseball. Cartwright later moved to Hawaii, serving as a volunteer firefighter and postmaster. Often called the 'father of modern baseball,' his contributions laid the groundwork for America's pastime. In 1938, the Baseball Hall of Fame honored him as one of the game's founding figures.

Olive Morris (1952–1979) was a pioneering activist who championed Black and women’s rights in South London. Born in Jamaica, she moved to England as a child and co-founded the Brixton Black Women’s Group, advocating against racism, sexism, and housing injustice. Morris also played a key role in the squatters’ movement, establishing community centres that offered resources and support to marginalized families. Her activism extended to campaigns for educational equality and prisoners’ rights, leaving a lasting impact on London’s social movements. Posthumously, she has been honoured through memorials, a women’s house cooperative, and inclusion in the National Portrait Gallery.

John Warren Davis was an influential American educator and college administrator best known for his leadership at West Virginia State College. Born in 1888, he held a Ph.D. in history and dedicated his career to expanding educational opportunities for African Americans. As president of West Virginia State College from 1921 to 1953, he transformed the institution into a leading center for science and liberal arts. A passionate advocate for civil rights, Davis worked alongside prominent figures to challenge segregation and improve access to quality education. He also served on various national committees, advising on policy and curriculum development. His commitment to academic excellence and social justice left a lasting impact on American higher education.

John Chancellor was a respected American television journalist who anchored NBC Nightly News from 1970 to 1982. Born in 1927, he began his career in print journalism before moving to radio and television reporting. Chancellor covered major events such as the Vietnam War, Watergate, and the civil rights movement with calm authority. He earned multiple Emmy Awards and Peabody Awards for his insightful news coverage. After leaving NBC, he hosted shows on PBS and wrote columns reflecting on political and social issues. His clear delivery and thoughtful analysis set a standard for broadcast journalism.

Born in 1916, George C. Stoney became a professor of film at City University of New York. He produced influential documentary films on social issues and community life. Often called 'the father of public-access television,' he championed media as a tool for public engagement. He founded workshops and programs to train filmmakers in community-centered storytelling. He passed away in 2012, leaving a lasting impact on documentary cinema and media education.

Alan Whicker was a pioneering journalist and television presenter whose career spanned over six decades. Born in 1921 in Cairo to English parents and raised in the Channel Islands, he became famous for his distinctive style and trademark trilby hat. His acclaimed series "Whicker's World" brought viewers into the lives of celebrities, royals, and ordinary people around the globe. He won multiple awards for his contributions to journalism and was celebrated for his curiosity and adventurous spirit. He continued reporting well into his 80s, leaving a lasting legacy on documentary filmmaking.

Valeriya Novodvorskaya was a fierce critic of Soviet and post-Soviet authorities, advocating for democratic reforms and human rights. Born in 1950, she faced arrests, exile, and persecution for her outspoken journalism and activism. In 1988, she co-founded the Democratic Union party, the first formal opposition party in the USSR. Throughout her life, she wrote extensively on freedom of expression and Russia's political future. Novodvorskaya's courage and resilience made her a symbol of resistance against authoritarianism.

D'Army Bailey was a prominent civil rights lawyer who co-founded the National Association of Black Lawyers and championed desegregation cases. Later, he served as a judge in Shelby County, Tennessee, exercising fairness and integrity on the bench. Bailey also pursued acting, appearing in films and theater productions that highlighted social justice themes. An author and playwright, he wrote about race, law, and community empowerment. His multifaceted career bridged legal advocacy, public service, and the arts.

Born into an aristocratic family, Neilson became a fixture in London's fashion and art scenes. She served as an editor at Pop magazine and collaborated with designers like John Galliano. Beyond social circles, she explored interior design and textile projects with a keen eye for eclectic aesthetics. Her work blended vintage flair with contemporary sensibilities, leaving a distinct mark on high society. Tributes to her life highlighted her fearless creativity and generosity of spirit.

Born Karola Siegel in 1928, Westheimer escaped Nazi Germany and later emigrated to the United States, where she earned a doctorate in education from Columbia University. In 1980, she launched 'Sexually Speaking,' one of the first national radio shows dedicated to honest conversations about intimacy. With her warm demeanor and direct style, she helped destigmatize discussions of sexual health and relationships. She authored bestsellers such as 'Dr. Ruth's Guide to Good Sex' and appeared on television programs worldwide. Westheimer founded the Dr. Ruth Institute to train therapists and educators in her methods. Her enduring career has made her an icon of resilience, empowerment, and sexual wellness.