August 02

John Alexander Douglas McCurdy (1886–1961) was a Canadian engineer, aviator, and politician. In 1909, he piloted the Silver Dart, making the first controlled powered flight in the British Empire. McCurdy helped establish early aviation schools and advanced aircraft technology in Canada. He later served as the 20th Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia from 1947 to 1952, representing the Crown in the province. Throughout his career, he received numerous honors for his contributions to aviation and public service. McCurdy's achievements laid the groundwork for Canada's aviation industry and inspired future generations of pilots.

Born in 1912 in Denmark, Palle Huld gained international fame in 1928 by circumnavigating the globe in 44 days as part of a newspaper challenge. His feat is widely believed to have inspired Hergé’s creation of Tintin. Huld later undertook additional adventures, including expeditions across Africa and North America. He also pursued an acting career, appearing in Danish films and theatre during the 1930s and 1940s. Huld wrote about his travels and lectured extensively, promoting the spirit of exploration. His life bridged entertainment and adventure, making him a pioneer of solo travel.

Valery Bykovsky joined the Soviet Air Force in 1952 and was selected as a cosmonaut in 1960, becoming one of the earliest space explorers. He commanded the Vostok 5 mission in 1963, setting a record for the longest solo spaceflight of nearly five days. Bykovsky later flew on Soyuz 22 and Soyuz 31, contributing to international space cooperation programs. His work advanced space medicine and flight operations, improving conditions for long-duration missions. Promoted to the rank of major general, he received honors including Hero of the Soviet Union and the Order of Lenin. After retiring, he trained new military aviators and remained active in veteran organizations. Bykovsky frequently shared his experiences at space forums and educational events. His pioneering achievements helped pave the way for future generations of astronauts and cosmonauts.

Bertalan Farkas (born 1949) is a Hungarian Air Force pilot and the first Hungarian citizen to travel to space. Selected in 1978 for the Soviet Intercosmos program, he flew aboard Soyuz 36 to the Salyut 6 space station in 1980. During his mission, Farkas conducted scientific experiments in orbit and represented Hungary in international space research. Following his return, he continued his career as a military instructor and rose to the rank of general. In later years, Farkas has been involved in aerospace education and public outreach. He remains a national hero in Hungary for his pioneering contributions to space exploration.