August 22

Aimé Bonpland was born in 1773 in La Rochelle, France. He studied medicine and natural history at the École de Médecine in Paris. In 1799, he joined Alexander von Humboldt on an expedition to South America, where he collected over 6,000 plant specimens. His work greatly expanded European knowledge of tropical flora and contributed to plant taxonomy. After returning to Europe in 1804, he published influential botanical treatises. In 1821, he moved to Paraguay and served as a physician while continuing his research. Despite facing political upheavals, he preserved his collections and corresponded with leading scientists. Bonpland died in 1858, leaving a lasting legacy in botany and exploration.

George W. De Long was born in 1844 in New York City. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1867 and developed an interest in polar exploration. In 1879, he commanded the USS Jeannette on an expedition aimed at reaching the North Pole via the Bering Strait. The ship became trapped in sea ice and was eventually crushed, forcing the crew onto the ice. De Long led a small party on a treacherous journey across the ice toward Siberia. Despite their efforts, he and most of his men perished from exposure and starvation in 1881. His detailed journals and scientific observations provided valuable data on the Arctic environment. De Long's expedition remains a testament to the challenges of early polar exploration.

John Forrest was born in 1847 in Bunbury, Western Australia. He worked as a surveyor and led several expeditions into the Australian interior, mapping unknown regions and establishing routes. Forrest's exploration achievements earned him widespread recognition and political support. In 1890, he became the first Premier of Western Australia, guiding the colony through economic development and railway expansion. He later served in the Federal Parliament, holding portfolios such as Postmaster-General and Minister for Defence. Forrest played a pivotal role in Western Australia's entry into the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901. He was knighted for his service and died in 1918, remembered as both an intrepid explorer and influential statesman.

Raymonde de Laroche was a pioneering French aviator and the first woman in the world to earn a pilot's license. Born Elise Deroche in Paris in 1882, she adopted the name Raymonde de Laroche for her aviation career. She received License No.36 from the Aero-Club de France in 1910, breaking gender barriers in early flight. De Laroche competed in air races and demonstrations across Europe, inspiring other women to take to the skies. Her courage and skill made her a celebrated figure in the burgeoning aviation community. Tragically, she died in a test flight accident in 1919, at the age of 37. Her legacy endures as a symbol of women's achievements in aviation history.

Born in 1895 in Hungary, László Almásy developed a passion for aviation and exploration. He led pioneering expeditions into the Libyan Desert in the 1920s and 1930s, mapping uncharted regions and studying prehistoric rock art. Almásy published his findings and helped improve aerial navigation techniques. During World War II, he served as an intelligence officer and conducted desert reconnaissance. His life and adventures later inspired the character in the novel and film 'The English Patient.' After the war, he faced controversy over his wartime activities but remained respected for his desert research. Almásy died in 1951, remembered as one of the great explorers of the Sahara.

Born in 1896 in Minnesota, Laurence Gould earned his doctorate in geology and joined Richard E. Byrd's 1928-1930 Antarctic expedition as chief scientist and second-in-command. He conducted geological surveys, mapped uncharted areas, and collected valuable scientific data. After the expedition, he became a professor and later president of Carleton College, shaping higher education for nearly two decades. Gould authored numerous papers on mineralogy and exploration and served on advisory boards for polar research. He championed international scientific cooperation during the Cold War. He continued teaching and writing until his death in 1995, leaving a legacy as a pioneer of polar science and education.

Gerald P. Carr was selected by NASA in 1966 and trained as part of the second group of astronauts. In 1973, he commanded Skylab 4, the longest human spaceflight at the time, logging 84 days in orbit and conducting scientific experiments in microgravity. His leadership and calm under pressure during the mission ensured its success despite early challenges. Carr began his career as an Air Force pilot and test engineer, flying combat missions in Vietnam. After retiring from NASA, he worked in aerospace consulting and education, advocating for future human exploration of space. He received numerous awards, including the Air Force Distinguished Flying Cross and the NASA Distinguished Service Medal. Carr’s contributions helped pioneer long-duration spaceflight and expand humanity’s understanding of living in space.