August 20

Agrippa Postumus was born in 12 BC to Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa and Julia the Elder. He was adopted by his grandfather, Emperor Augustus, as a potential successor to the Roman throne. Political rivalries and intrigues led to his banishment to the island of Planasia in AD 9. He spent his final years stripped of status and influence, dying in exile in AD 14. Ancient sources suggest foul play, making his death one of the early mysteries of the Roman imperial family.

Born in 1650, William Bedloe emerged as a central figure in the Popish Plot of the 1670s, claiming insider knowledge of a Catholic conspiracy. His vivid and lurid accounts implicated numerous nobles, stoking anti-Catholic hysteria across England. Despite widespread skepticism about his credibility, his testimony led to the execution of several innocent people. Bedloe's flamboyant personality and flair for the dramatic made him a notorious celebrity in Restoration London. He spent his final years defending his reputation and died still in the public eye in 1680, leaving a legacy entwined with one of England's greatest political scares.

Michael Devine (November 10, 1954 – August 20, 1981) was an Irish Republican Army member and one of the ten hunger strikers who died protesting the removal of political status for IRA prisoners. He joined the hunger strike in May 1981 while incarcerated in the Maze Prison. Devine endured over 70 days without food, becoming the last straggler to join the protest and ultimately succumbing to starvation. His death intensified international attention on the Northern Ireland conflict and galvanized support for the republican cause.

Joe Rosenthal (1911-2006) was a Pulitzer Prize-winning American photojournalist famous for his photograph of U.S. Marines raising the flag atop Mount Suribachi during the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II. His image became an enduring symbol of American perseverance and sacrifice and inspired the Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington, Virginia. Rosenthal's career spanned decades as he covered major events around the world for the Associated Press. His work demonstrated the power of photojournalism to shape public memory and national identity.

Mika Yamamoto was a veteran Japanese journalist and war correspondent who reported for the Asahi Shimbun and other media outlets. Born in 1967, she covered major conflicts including the Iraq War, the Darfur crisis, and the Arab Spring. Yamamoto was dedicated to bringing human stories from the front lines, often at great personal risk. In 2012, she was killed by sniper fire while reporting on the Syrian civil war, an event that shocked the global journalism community. Her work highlighted the human cost of conflict and inspired a generation of journalists committed to frontline reporting.

Born in 1918 in Karnataka, India, Iyengar studied under Tirumalai Krishnamacharya before developing his own style of yoga. In 1966, he published 'Light on Yoga,' a comprehensive guide that introduced detailed instructions and photographs for hundreds of poses. He founded the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute in Pune, which became a global center for yoga instruction. Iyengar's method emphasized the use of props to make practice accessible and safe, attracting students worldwide. Over his long career, he received India's highest civilian honors, including the Padma Shri and Padma Vibhushan. His teachings revolutionized modern yoga practice and continue to influence instructors and practitioners today.

Jennifer Ramírez Rivero (1978–2018) rose to prominence in the fashion world with her striking presence on international catwalks. Born in Venezuela, she appeared in numerous editorial spreads and advertising campaigns. Rivero was celebrated for her versatility and professionalism, collaborating with leading designers in South America and beyond. She also mentored aspiring models and participated in charitable events supporting underprivileged youth. Her career, though tragically cut short, left an imprint on the Latin American modeling industry.

Igor Vovkovinskiy (1982–2021) stood at 7 feet 8 and a half inches, earning recognition as the tallest living person in the United States. Born in Ukraine, he immigrated to America to seek medical treatment for his condition. Vovkovinskiy appeared in television shows and films, using his unique stature in acting roles. A passionate student of law, he advocated for disability rights and raised awareness about acromegaly. His life story inspired many before his untimely death in 2021.

Darya Dugina was born in Moscow in 1992 as the daughter of philosopher Alexander Dugin. She became a prominent conservative commentator and hosted political talk shows on Tsargrad TV. Writing under the pseudonym "Polite Force," she contributed analysis supporting Russian nationalist viewpoints. Her work included articles and interviews that resonated with a broad audience interested in political discourse. On August 20, 2022, she tragically died in a car bombing near Moscow, a case that drew international attention.