September 15

Born in 1770, William Huskisson was educated at Eton and Christ Church, Oxford, before entering Parliament. He served as President of the Board of Trade and Secretary of State for War and the Colonies, overseeing economic and colonial policy. Huskisson championed free trade principles and financial reforms that modernized Britain's economy. During the opening of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway in 1830, he was struck by the locomotive Rocket and succumbed to his injuries. His tragic death highlighted the dawn of the railway age and the need for safety in industrial innovations.

Charles-Amédée Kohler (1790–1874) established one of Switzerland’s earliest chocolate factories in Lausanne and pioneered the creation of hazelnut chocolate. His technique of blending roasted hazelnuts with cocoa mass became a hallmark of Swiss confectionery and influenced chocolatiers worldwide. Under his leadership, Kohler's factory expanded production and reputation, contributing to Switzerland’s emergence as a global chocolate powerhouse. The company later merged into Cailler and Nestlé, but Kohler’s legacy endures in the classic recipes still enjoyed today.

Olga Erteszek was a Polish-born fashion designer who founded the Olga lingerie company in 1948. After emigrating to the United States post-World War II, she began creating bras and nightwear celebrated for their comfort and fit. Her designs combined high-quality fabrics with elegant silhouettes, setting new standards in the industry. Under her leadership, Olga became a leading American lingerie brand by the 1960s. Erteszek's innovations in sizing and materials empowered women with stylish, well-fitting undergarments. Her entrepreneurial spirit inspired future generations of fashion designers and business leaders.

Gerard L. Cafesjian (1925–2013) was an Armenian-American businessman and legal scholar. As vice-chairman of West Publishing Company, he oversaw significant growth in legal publishing. After selling his company holdings, he devoted himself to philanthropy, establishing the Cafesjian Family Foundation in 1996. Through his foundation, he funded cultural and educational projects in the United States and Armenia. He collected modern and contemporary art, leading to the creation of the Cafesjian Center for the Arts in Yerevan. His philanthropic legacy continues to nurture arts and culture.