August 16

Father Roque Ruaño y Pella was a Spanish Dominican priest and pioneering civil engineer. Born in 1877, he joined the Dominican Order and later earned a degree in engineering before being sent to the Philippines. He is best remembered for his innovative design of the Faculty of Engineering Building at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila. Ruaño’s architectural work combined functional engineering with seismic-resistant features, a major advancement in tropical building design. He served both as a clergyman and an engineer until his death in 1935, leaving a lasting impact on Philippine educational infrastructure.

Born in 1894, George Meany began his career as a plumber before rising to prominence in the labor movement. He helped merge the American Federation of Labor and the Congress of Industrial Organizations to form the AFL-CIO in 1955 and led the organization until 1979. Meany was known for his pragmatic leadership style and commitment to workers' rights. Under his tenure, the AFL-CIO became a powerful force in American politics and labor advocacy. His influence shaped labor policy for decades.

Arthur Rose Eldred made history in 1912 by becoming the first person to achieve the Eagle Scout rank, the highest honor in the Boy Scouts of America. Born in 1895, he set a standard of excellence and service that has inspired generations of scouts. Eldred's achievement highlighted the importance of leadership, outdoor skills, and community service within the Scouting movement. His legacy lives on as Eagle Scouts continue to uphold the values he exemplified.

David Anderson practiced law before entering politics as a Liberal Member of Parliament in 1968. He represented the riding of Victoria, focusing on environmental and public policy issues. Anderson served in Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau's cabinet as Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and later Minister of the Environment. He championed wildlife conservation initiatives and stricter pollution controls on national platforms. After leaving politics in the late 1970s, he continued his work through legal advocacy and public speaking. His multifaceted career bridged journalism, law, and political leadership in Canada.

Born in Trinidad in 1939, Trevor McDonald moved to the UK in the early 1960s. He began his career as a reporter for ITV before becoming a prominent presenter on ITN's News at Ten. In 1992, he became the first black solo presenter of a national British news program. After retiring from regular newsreading in 2008, he continued to host documentary series on historical and investigative topics. McDonald was knighted in 1999 for his services to journalism. He holds honorary degrees from several universities and has lectured in media studies. His career has inspired a generation of journalists across Britain and beyond.

Bonnie Bernstein (born August 16, 1970) is an American journalist and sportscaster who has covered college football, the NFL, and the Olympics for major networks including ESPN, CBS, and ABC. She co-founded Walk Swiftly Productions, creating sports and lifestyle content, and has been recognized for breaking barriers in a male-dominated industry. Bernstein is also a philanthropist, advocating for women’s health causes through her foundation and public speaking engagements.