August 04

Born in 1656 in Acadia, Lepage immigrated to New France with his family. In 1699 he acquired land along the Saint Lawrence River, establishing a settlement that became Rimouski. He oversaw agricultural development and community organization in challenging frontier conditions. Lepage’s leadership helped secure French presence in eastern Quebec against rival claims. His descendants continued to shape the region’s socio-economic growth. He died in 1718, leaving a lasting legacy as a pioneer of New France.

Juho "Nätti-Jussi" Nätti was born in 1890 and became a folklore figure through his work as a lumberjack in Northern Finland. He captivated fellow workers with tall tales and colorful anecdotes about life in the forests. Nätti's stories blended humor, local legend, and the harsh realities of logging life. Over time, his name became synonymous with rugged frontier spirit and Finnish folklore. Books and articles have since collected his accounts, preserving his narrative voice. He passed away in 1964, but his legacy lives on in Finland's cultural memory and campfire traditions.

Jeanne Calment was born in 1875 in Arles, France, and lived through three centuries, witnessing events from the Belle Époque to the advent of television. She claimed to have met Vincent van Gogh as a young girl and saw her hometown transform over more than a century. Calment maintained an active lifestyle, practicing fencing in her youth and riding a bicycle until her hundredth birthday. She attributed her longevity to a diet rich in olive oil, regular port wine, and maintaining a positive outlook on life. In 1988, at age 113, she became the oldest living person ever documented, setting multiple longevity records. Her life was studied by gerontologists seeking to understand extreme aging. Calment remained mentally sharp until her final years, sharing anecdotes with researchers and journalists. She died in 1997 at the age of 122, leaving a unique legacy in the study of human lifespan.