September 22

Born around 1620, Martha Corey was a respected member of the Salem community until accusations of witchcraft emerged in 1692. Despite her reputation for piety, she was arrested and tried amid mass hysteria. Her conviction was based on spectral evidence and neighbor testimony, reflecting the era’s fear of the occult. Executions, including hers on September 22, heightened public doubt about the trials’ legitimacy. Corey’s case later influenced the revocation of convictions and the end of the witch hunt.

William Tierney Clark (1783–1852) was an English civil engineer and pioneer of suspension bridge design. He designed Hammersmith Bridge, the first suspension bridge over the River Thames in London, completed in 1827. He also created the Chain Bridge (Széchenyi Lánchíd) across the Danube in Budapest, which served as a model for later structures. Clark's work combined aesthetic grace with technical innovation, influencing bridge engineering across Europe. His career included projects on canals, dock improvements, and other infrastructure. Clark's legacy lives on in the elegance and resilience of his bridges.

John Henry Knight (1847–1917) was an English mechanical engineer and early automobile pioneer. In 1895 he built one of the first petrol-powered motor vehicles in Britain, showcasing it at the Stanley Cycle Show in London. Knight's vehicle featured a single-cylinder engine and an innovative steering mechanism, laying groundwork for future car designs. He held several patents for agricultural and automotive machinery, demonstrating his inventive versatility. Knight also ran a successful engineering works in Farnham, Surrey, producing engines and equipment. His contributions to early motoring earned him recognition among automotive enthusiasts of his era. Knight's pioneering efforts helped spark Britain's transition to motorized transport.

Sime Silverman (1873–1933) was an American journalist who founded the weekly entertainment newspaper Variety in 1905. Originally launched in New York City, Variety provided insider coverage of the theater and vaudeville industries. Silverman's distinctive writing style, known as 'slanguage,' coined terms that became part of industry jargon. Under his leadership, Variety expanded into film coverage, influencing Hollywood trade journalism. Silverman also oversaw the launch of Daily Variety in Los Angeles in 1933, broadening the publication's reach. His visionary approach made Variety the authoritative voice for performers, producers, and media executives. Silverman's legacy endures in the continued prominence of Variety as a major entertainment industry publication.

Cecil Chubb (1876–1934) was an English barrister and landowner best known for his acquisition of Stonehenge in 1915. Chubb purchased the prehistoric monument at a public auction for £6,600, surprising many observers. He held the site briefly before gifting it to the British state in 1918 as a gesture of public benevolence. His donation ensured the preservation of Stonehenge as a national heritage site. Chubb remained involved in local affairs and had a reputation for philanthropy and public service. Though his ownership of one of Britain's most famous landmarks was brief, his gift laid the foundation for modern archaeological conservation at Stonehenge. Chubb's name is remembered whenever the monument's stewardship and history are discussed.

Hugo Young was born in 1938 in Empingham, England, and educated at the London School of Economics. He began his journalism career at The Sunday Telegraph before becoming Washington bureau chief for The Sunday Times. In 1990, he joined The Guardian as chief political columnist, where his analysis of conservative and centrist politics shaped public debate. Young authored several respected books on British politics, including This Blessed Plot and One of Us, which examined national identity and leadership. He was awarded the Orwell Prize in 1997 for his contributions to political writing. Young's clear, insightful prose and commitment to journalistic integrity made him a leading voice in his field. He died in 2003, leaving a lasting impact on political journalism.

Carla Benschop was born in 1950 in Rotterdam, Netherlands, and quickly made her mark as a talented basketball player. She became captain of the Netherlands women's national basketball team, leading them to multiple European Championship appearances in the 1970s. Benschop won several national titles with her club and was celebrated for her leadership on and off the court. After retiring from competition, she pursued a career in education, teaching physical education and promoting youth sports programs. She played a key role in developing training curricula for young athletes and advocating for women's sports. Benschop's dedication inspired a generation of Dutch basketball players. She passed away in 2006, remembered for her pioneering spirit and commitment to sport and learning.

Thomas Dörflein worked as a zookeeper at the Berlin Zoological Garden for many years. In 2006 he became a media sensation when he hand-reared a polar bear cub named Knut after it was abandoned by its mother. His dedication and gentle approach warmed public hearts and drew international attention. He appeared on talk shows and in documentaries, becoming a beloved figure in Germany. Dörflein continued to advocate for animal welfare until his untimely death in 2008.

Altemio Sanchez was a Puerto Rican serial killer and rapist responsible for a series of brutal crimes along the New York City and Westchester County bike paths from the 1970s through the early 2000s. Dubbed the "Bike Path Rapist," he assaulted at least 20 women and was linked to the murders of two women. Despite early investigations, he evaded capture for decades until DNA evidence led to his arrest in 2007. In 2010, he pleaded guilty to multiple rapes and murders, receiving a prison sentence of up to 184 years. His case highlighted the evolution of forensic science and the persistence of victims and investigators. Sanchez's crimes had a profound impact on community safety and criminal justice reforms in the region.