1977day.year

Donald Mackay

(1933 - 1977)

Australian businessman and activist

Australian businessman and activist
Australian tobacco businessman and anti-drug activist whose disappearance and murder drew national attention.
Donald Mackay was an Australian tobacco magnate and outspoken campaigner against illicit drug trade in his community. Born in 1933, he expanded his family's tobacco business in Griffith, New South Wales, while advocating for stronger law enforcement. Mackay led investigations into local drug syndicates, bringing public scrutiny to organized crime in regional Australia. On July 15, 1977, he disappeared after attending a meeting, and his murder remains one of Australia's most notorious unsolved cases. His death prompted national inquiries into corruption and led to significant reforms in Australian drug policy and police accountability.
1977 Donald Mackay
1997day.year

Gianni Versace

(1946 - 1997)

Italian fashion designer, founded Versace

Italian fashion designer founded Versace
Italian fashion designer and founder of Versace, celebrated for his bold, glamorous creations.
Born in 1946 in Reggio Calabria, Gianni Versace revolutionized fashion with his vibrant prints, daring silhouettes, and luxurious fabrics. He opened his first boutique in Milan in 1978 and quickly captivated the industry with designs that blended classical motifs and contemporary flair. Versace's celebrity clientele and dramatic runway shows reshaped fashion in the 1980s and 1990s. Expanding into accessories, fragrances, and home collections, he built a global brand. His life was tragically cut short by assassination in 1997, but his influence persists through the enduring creativity of the Versace label.
Gianni Versace Versace
2006day.year

Robert H. Brooks

(1937 - 2006)

American businessman, founder of Hooters and Naturally Fresh, Inc.

American businessman founder of Hooters and Naturally Fresh Inc.
American entrepreneur best known for founding the Hooters restaurant chain and leading a diverse food business empire.
Robert H. Brooks (1937–2006) founded Hooters in 1983, turning a single beachside eatery into a global restaurant franchise. Under his leadership as chairman and CEO, Hooters expanded to hundreds of locations worldwide. Brooks also established Naturally Fresh, Inc., a successful food processing and distribution company. He was known for his hands-on management style and innovative marketing approaches. His entrepreneurial vision reshaped the casual dining industry and left a lasting mark on American business.
2006 Robert H. Brooks Hooters Naturally Fresh, Inc.