August 24

Valentine Baker was born in Wales in 1888 and studied engineering before serving in the Royal Flying Corps. In 1934, he partnered with James Martin to establish the Martin-Baker Aircraft Company, initially focusing on aircraft manufacturing. After Baker’s death in a test flight accident in 1942, Martin continued their work on safety innovations. The company went on to invent the Martin-Baker ejection seat, which has saved over 7,000 lives worldwide. Baker’s early contributions laid the groundwork for these advances and cemented his place in aviation history. Remembered as a skilled pilot and visionary entrepreneur, his legacy endures in flight safety technology.

Karl Hanke was born in 1903 in Silesia and became a fervent member of the Nazi Party. He served as Reichsleiter and Gauleiter of Lower Silesia, overseeing party administration and regional governance. In 1945, Adolf Hitler appointed him the final Reichsführer-SS during the waning days of World War II. Before his political career, Hanke worked in business, which informed his administrative skills. He was known for his unwavering loyalty to Hitler and zeal in implementing Nazi policies. Captured by Allied forces after Germany’s surrender, Hanke attempted to flee but was killed in 1945. His role in the Nazi hierarchy remains a stark reminder of the regime’s oppressive apparatus.

Born in 1933 in Munich, Germany, Prince Rupert Loewenstein was raised in a banking family and educated at Eton and Cambridge. In 1968, he was hired by the Rolling Stones to restructure their finances and reduce tax liabilities. Over the next three decades, he played a crucial role in building the band's financial empire, transforming them into one of the highest-earning acts in music history. Loewenstein's innovative strategies and discreet management style earned him the nickname 'Singing to the Money Gods.' He published his memoir, 'Singing to the Money Gods', in 2009 and passed away in 2014.

Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, commonly known as MKO Abiola, was born in 1937 in Ogun State, Nigeria. He built a vast business empire with ventures in telecommunications, publishing, and oil trading. In 1993, Abiola ran for president and was widely considered the election’s legitimate winner before the results were annulled by the military government. His detention following the election drew international condemnation and made him a symbol of the struggle for democracy in Nigeria. Abiola was also known for his philanthropic efforts, including scholarships and community development programs. He died in 1998, and his legacy remains central to Nigeria’s democratic history.

Born in Pinehurst, North Carolina, in 1945, Vince McMahon inherited the World Wide Wrestling Federation from his father. He transformed the regional promotion into World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), expanding its reach to a global audience. Under his leadership, WWE pioneered sports entertainment, blending athleticism with theatrical storylines. McMahon launched flagship events like WrestleMania, turning them into pop culture phenomena. He diversified the brand into television, film, and digital media, significantly growing the company's valuation. Despite controversies, his visionary approach reshaped professional wrestling worldwide.