September 26

Thomas Clarkson was one of the foremost campaigners against the transatlantic slave trade in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. He traveled across Great Britain collecting evidence, interviewing former slaves, and exposing the brutal realities of slavery. His detailed pamphlets and petitions were instrumental in swaying public and parliamentary opinion. Clarkson helped found the Society for Effecting the Abolition of the Slave Trade in 1787. He worked closely with William Wilberforce and other abolitionists to achieve legal abolition in 1807. Throughout his life, Clarkson remained committed to the cause of equality and human rights.

He was born in 1913 in Wilmington, Delaware, and began his broadcasting career on local radio in the 1930s. Facenda’s rich baritone and measured delivery caught the attention of the National Football League, leading to his role with NFL Films in 1965. He crafted poetic and dramatic voice-overs that transformed football highlights into cinematic experiences. Fans and colleagues dubbed him the 'Voice of God' for his resonant narration. His work not only popularized NFL Films but also set a new standard for sports storytelling. Facenda passed away in 1984, leaving behind a legacy that continues to influence sports media.

He was born in 1932 and entered the Turkish National Intelligence Organization (MIT) in the late 1950s. Abas served overseas as a station chief in West Germany and later in Iran, where he worked closely with SAVAK during the Shah’s regime. He rose through the ranks to head MIT’s Counter-Guerrilla department, focusing on covert operations during the Cold War. Renowned for his operational skill and discretion, he played a key role in shaping modern Turkish intelligence. His career was marked by daring missions and complex international collaborations. Abas was assassinated in 1990 under mysterious circumstances, leaving behind a legacy of intrigue and controversy.

Oseola McCarty was born in 1908 in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and worked as a laundry worker for over 75 years. Despite living frugally on a modest income, she amassed savings of over $150,000. In 1995, she donated $150,000 to the University of Southern Mississippi to provide scholarships for needy students. Her generosity inspired national recognition and she received honorary degrees and awards for philanthropy. McCarty's story highlights the impact of small acts of saving and giving. She passed away in 1999, remembered as a symbol of compassion and community service.

Iva Toguri D'Aquino (1916–2006) was an American broadcaster who became a symbol of wartime propaganda. While stranded in Japan during World War II, she broadcast English-language programs for Japanese radio, earning the nickname 'Tokyo Rose.' After the war, she was indicted for treason and convicted in 1949 amid public controversy. In 1977, President Gerald Ford granted her a full pardon, restoring her reputation. Toguri's story remains a complex chapter in media history, exploring themes of loyalty, justice, and public perception.

Toughie was a male Rabbs' fringe-limbed treefrog (Ecnomiohyla rabborum) discovered in Panama in 2005 by herpetologists Frank and Jessie Rabb. He was transferred to the Atlanta Botanical Garden's conservation program in an effort to breed the species. Despite scientific efforts, no viable breeding pairs were available, and Toughie remained the sole survivor by 2016. His death on September 26, 2016, signaled the extinction of one of the first frog species lost to amphibian chytridiomycosis. Toughie's story raised global awareness about the importance of habitat protection and disease mitigation in amphibian conservation. He is remembered as a poignant reminder of the fragility of biodiversity.