July 17

Pierre-Charles Le Sueur was an early French explorer and entrepreneur in New France. He established trade relations with Native American tribes and operated trading posts along the Mississippi River. Le Sueur is best known for identifying copper deposits in present-day Minnesota and founding Fort L'Huillier. His expeditions expanded French knowledge of the Upper Mississippi region in the late 17th century. Though his search for copper yielded limited success, his efforts paved the way for future exploration.

Jim Bridger (1804–1881) was one of the most renowned frontiersmen of the American West. He established Fort Bridger in present-day Wyoming, which became a crucial resupply point for westbound emigrants and traders. Bridger made the first recorded crossing of the Continental Divide through what is now known as Bridger Pass. He guided multiple surveys and expeditions, including those led by John C. Frémont. Fluent in several Native American languages, he maintained strong relations with indigenous tribes. Bridger’s detailed journals and maps opened new routes for migration and commerce. His legendary exploits earned him the reputation of a trailblazing icon of Western expansion.

Henry 'Hank' Hartsfield was commissioned in the U.S. Air Force before being selected as a NASA astronaut in 1978. He served as pilot on STS-4 in 1982 and commanded the maiden flight STS-41-D in 1984, contributing to satellite deployments and shuttle system testing. Hartsfield logged over 300 hours in space and received the NASA Distinguished Service Medal along with multiple military decorations. After retiring from NASA in 1990, he held leadership roles in aerospace management and continued to advocate for space exploration. His pioneering work during the Shuttle era helped pave the way for future missions and scientific discoveries.