September 11

Born into Rhode Island's wealthy Sprague family in 1830, William Sprague IV inherited textile and railroad interests. At the age of 24, he became one of the youngest governors in American history, leading Rhode Island during the Civil War era. He organized and equipped the 'Sprague's Zouaves' to support the Union effort. After his term as governor, Sprague served in the U.S. Senate from 1863 to 1875, advocating for industrial growth and infrastructure. Known for his lavish lifestyle and extensive art collection, he was a prominent figure in Gilded Age society. Sprague's blend of business acumen and public service left a lasting impact on New England's economy and politics.

Born in 1901, Wigura developed an early passion for aviation and engineering at Warsaw University. In 1927 he co-founded the RWD design team, creating innovative light aircraft for sport and record attempts. He set several long-distance flying records, demonstrating the capabilities of Polish aviation. Wigura's technical expertise combined with his passion for flight helped establish RWD as a leading aircraft manufacturer. Tragically, he died in a plane crash during a record flight in 1932 at just 31 years old. His legacy lives on in Polish aviation history as a pioneer of both competitive flying and aircraft design.

Born in 1889 in West Point, Mississippi, Collett E. Woolman joined the Huff Daland Dusters crop dusting company in 1925. He played a pivotal role in transforming the business into Delta Air Service in 1928, which later became Delta Air Lines. As president and chairman, Woolman guided the airline's growth from a mail carrier to a major international airline. He oversaw route expansions, fleet acquisitions, and innovations in passenger service. Under his leadership, Delta established a reputation for reliability and customer focus. Woolman remained involved with the company until his passing in 1966, leaving a lasting legacy in commercial aviation.

Antoine Izméry was a leading Haitian entrepreneur and outspoken critic of authoritarian rule. He championed human rights and fair elections, playing a pivotal role in Haiti's democracy movement. As president of a local foundation, he organized civic education and monitored electoral processes. Following the 1991 military coup, he denounced abuses and called for reinstatement of constitutional government. Izméry was tragically assassinated during a coup attempt in 1993, becoming a symbol for political reform in Haiti.

Pierre Cossette (1923–2009) was a Canadian producer and manager credited with transforming the Grammy Awards into a televised event. Beginning his career as a music publicist, he rose to prominence in the 1960s by packaging major music broadcasts. Cossette produced the first live telecast of the Grammys in 1971, reaching millions of viewers and elevating the profile of the awards. He later extended his influence to Broadway, producing hit musical revivals and concerts. His innovative approach to entertainment marketing set new standards for award shows and live performances. Cossette's vision helped shape the modern landscape of televised music events.

Finn Bergesen held prominent positions including Director General of the Directorate of Fisheries and CEO of the Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise. He played a key role in shaping Norway’s maritime and trade policies during his tenure. Bergesen was known for his leadership in public administration and fostering collaboration between government and industry. Under his guidance, Norway’s fisheries sector expanded its global reach and sustainability initiatives. He was awarded several honors for his contributions to the Norwegian economy. Bergesen died in 2012 at the age of 66, remembered as a visionary business leader.