September 20

Maurice Count de Benyovszky was born in modern-day Slovakia in 1746 into Hungarian nobility. He gained fame as an adventurer, traveling through Europe, Asia, and the Pacific. In 1775, he led an expedition to Madagascar, establishing a short-lived settlement and declaring himself a king. His memoirs, filled with daring exploits and colorful anecdotes, captivated European readers. Despite controversies over the accuracy of his accounts, Benyovszky's journeys contributed to geographic and cultural knowledge of the regions he explored. He died in Madagascar in 1786, leaving behind a legacy of bold exploration.

Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen was born in Russia in 1778 into a family of German descent. He rose through the ranks of the Imperial Russian Navy to become an admiral and cartographer. From 1819 to 1821, he commanded a major expedition that mapped vast stretches of the Antarctic coastline, often credited as the first to sight the continent. Bellingshausen's detailed charts and observations advanced geographic knowledge of the Southern Ocean. After returning to Russia, he continued surveying and naval duties until his death in 1852. His contributions remain foundational in polar exploration history.

Born in 1995 in the Netherlands, Laura Dekker developed a passion for sailing at an early age. At just 14, she announced plans to circumnavigate the globe solo, sparking legal battles over her guardianship. Undeterred, she set sail in August 2010 aboard her yacht Guppy and completed her journey in January 2012. Her 518-day voyage covered more than 27,000 nautical miles and established her as the youngest solo circumnavigator. Dekker has since written about her experiences, inspiring young sailors and advocating for youth empowerment.