August 05

Vitus Bering (1681–1741) was a Danish navigator who led major expeditions under the Tsar. He organized and commanded the Great Northern Expedition to map Siberia and the North Pacific. In 1728, he sailed through the strait now bearing his name between Asia and North America. His voyages contributed significantly to the charting of Alaska and the Aleutian Islands. Bering’s efforts advanced cartography and geographic knowledge of the Arctic regions. He died on an uninhabited island in the Commander chain in 1741. His name lives on in geographical features such as the Bering Sea, Bering Strait, and Bering Island.

Edward John Eyre (1815–1901) was an English land explorer and colonial governor. In the 1830s and 1840s, he led expeditions across Australia’s interior, charting unknown regions of South and Western Australia. Eyre faced harsh conditions and conflict, notably on the Nullarbor Plain, yet his reports expanded geographic knowledge of the continent. He later held administrative posts, culminating in his appointment as Governor of Jamaica from 1864 to 1865. As governor, he controversially suppressed the Morant Bay Rebellion, drawing criticism in Britain. Eyre’s career combined daring exploration with complex colonial governance, leaving a mixed but impactful legacy.

Neil Armstrong (1930–2012) was an American naval aviator, test pilot, and astronaut who became the first human to walk on the Moon during the Apollo 11 mission in July 1969. Born in Wapakoneta, Ohio, he earned a degree in aeronautical engineering from Purdue University and later a master’s degree from the University of Southern California. Before joining NASA, Armstrong served as a naval officer in the Korean War and flew over 200 combat missions. As chief test pilot at Edwards Air Force Base, he piloted the X-15 rocket plane to the edge of space. His historic 'one small step' marked a pinnacle of human exploration and inspired generations worldwide. After NASA, Armstrong taught aerospace engineering at the University of Cincinnati and remained an advocate for space exploration. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom and Congressional Gold Medal for his achievements.

Born on August 5, 1941, Leonid Kizim trained as a fighter pilot before joining the Soviet space program. He flew on the Soyuz T-3 mission in 1980 and commanded the pioneering long-duration missions Soyuz T-10/Salyut 7 (1984) and Soyuz T-15 (1986), achieving over 374 days in orbit. Kizim's leadership aboard the Salyut stations contributed to key advances in space station operations. Promoted to Air Force general, he also served in astronaut training and public outreach. After retiring from active service, he remained involved in aerospace organizations. Kizim passed away in 2010, remembered for his record-setting missions and dedication to space exploration.