August 14

Margaret Taylor (1788–1852) served as First Lady of the United States during her husband Zachary Taylor's presidency from 1849 until his death in 1850. Known for her quiet and reserved demeanor, she avoided most public duties and gatherings at the White House. Despite her seclusion, she offered steadfast support to her husband and managed family affairs behind the scenes. Born Margaret Mackall Smith in Maryland, she endured personal tragedies including the loss of two daughters before becoming First Lady. Her brief tenure reflected the tumultuous political climate of the era, yet she maintained a dignified presence in the nation's capital. After the president's death, she retired to private life in Kentucky, where she remained a respected matriarch until her passing.

Sarah Childress Polk (1803–1891) served as First Lady from 1845 to 1849 and was celebrated for her sharp intelligence and strong personality. As the president's confidante and secretary, she reviewed his speeches, managed correspondence, and offered strategic counsel. Educated at a time when women's formal education was rare, she brought a scholarly approach to civic life and hosted elegant White House events. Polk chose to remain childless and devoted herself to her husband's political career and post-presidential family affairs. After leaving the White House, she cared for James K. Polk until his death and maintained a respected social presence in Nashville. Remembered as one of the most capable and private First Ladies, she wielded considerable behind-the-scenes influence.

Born in Philadelphia in 1846, Rebecca Cole graduated from the Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania as the second African-American woman physician in the United States. She served impoverished communities by establishing clinics for women and children and advocating for sanitary reforms. A founding member of the National Association of Colored Women, she lectured widely on health and social issues. Through her pioneering work, she broke racial and gender barriers in medicine and public health. Cole passed away on August 14, 1922, leaving a legacy that continues to inspire medical professionals and reformers today.

Born in New Hampshire in 1861, Herbert Putnam graduated from Harvard Law School before pursuing library administration. Appointed Librarian of Congress in 1899, he served for four decades—the longest tenure in the institution’s history. Putnam transformed the Library of Congress by expanding its collections, modernizing cataloguing systems, and promoting interlibrary loans. He established the U.S. Copyright Office at the Library and strengthened professional training for librarians. He died on August 14, 1955, leaving a modern national library framework that endures today.

Born in Connecticut in 1904, John J. Sirica studied law at Georgetown University and earned a reputation for fairness. Appointed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower as a federal judge in 1957, he took a firm stance on legal procedures and evidence. Sirica became a central figure in the Watergate scandal, demanding transparency and ordering the disclosure of the White House tapes. His unwavering insistence on truth helped unravel the conspiracy that led to President Richard Nixon's resignation. Nicknamed the 100 percent Conspiracy Judge, Sirica's courtroom conduct reshaped public trust in the American justice system. He assumed senior status in 1977 and continued hearing cases until his death in 1992.