November 15

Thomas Neill Cream (1850-1892) was a doctor whose medical knowledge facilitated a series of poisonings across North America and London. Initially convicted in Chicago for killing his uncle, he was released and resumed deadly crimes under various aliases. Cream targeted vulnerable women, lacing drinks and lozenges with strychnine. His arrest in London followed a suspicious confession letter to Scotland Yard. Convicted in 1892, he was hanged at Newgate Prison. Dubbed the "Lambeth Poisoner", his case exposed flaws in criminal investigations and medical ethics during the Victorian era.

Narayan Dattatraya Apte was born in 1911 in Pune, India. He became a member of the Hindu Mahasabha and engaged in political activism. Apte played a key role as Nathuram Godse's accomplice, handling logistics and planning for the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. On January 30, 1948, he provided weapons and assisted in the execution of the plot. Following Gandhi's death, Apte was arrested, tried for conspiracy and murder, and found guilty. He was executed on November 15, 1949. Apte’s involvement remains a controversial episode in India's post-independence history.

Nathuram Vinayak Godse was born in 1910 in Pune, India. He became active in Hindu nationalist organizations and developed strong objections to Mahatma Gandhi's policies. On January 30, 1948, Godse shot Gandhi at close range in New Delhi, surrendering immediately afterward. He was arrested, tried, and found guilty of conspiracy to murder. Godse was executed on November 15, 1949. His motives and subsequent writings continue to provoke debate over nationalism, religion, and political violence in India.

Born in 1937, Robert Raymond Cook was involved in the 1957 killings of three family members in Alberta, Canada. His trial drew national attention due to questions about his mental state and the fairness of his legal proceedings. Convicted of first-degree murder, Cook was sentenced to death and hanged on November 15, 1960. His case sparked debate over capital punishment and led to discussions on legal reforms in Canada. Despite appeals for clemency, his execution became one of the last in Alberta before the province abolished the death penalty. Cook’s story remains a dark chapter in Canadian criminal history.

Known as Baby Fae, Stephanie Fae Beauclair made medical history as the first human to receive an experimental heart transplant from a baboon. Born prematurely in October 1984, she suffered from hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a severe congenital defect. On October 26, 1984, surgeons at Loma Linda University Medical Center performed the pioneering procedure, sparking global interest and debate. Although her transplanted heart functioned temporarily, Baby Fae’s immune system rejected it, and she passed away on November 15, 1984. Her case brought attention to xenotransplantation ethics and the urgent need for organ donation. The contract between innovation and risk she embodied helped shape future research in transplantation. Her brief life prompted international discussions on medical boundaries and compassion. Baby Fae’s story remains a poignant chapter in the history of medical science.

Alger Hiss was a prominent American government official whose career ended in one of the most contentious espionage trials of the 20th century. Born in Baltimore in 1904, he graduated from Johns Hopkins University and Harvard Law School before joining the U.S. State Department. Hiss played a key role in establishing the United Nations, serving as secretary to the conference at Yalta and San Francisco. In 1948, he was accused by former Soviet spy Whittaker Chambers of passing classified documents to the USSR. Convicted of perjury in 1950 after two trials, he served 44 months in prison, although his guilt remains debated. His case fueled fears of communist infiltration and helped launch the career of Senator Joseph McCarthy. After his release, Hiss authored several books defending his innocence and lectured on diplomacy. He died on November 15, 1996, remembered for both his diplomatic contributions and the controversies that overshadowed them.

Stokely Carmichael was a charismatic leader in the American civil rights movement and a driving force behind the Black Power philosophy. Born in Port of Spain, Trinidad, in 1941, he moved to the United States to study at Howard University. Carmichael became a field secretary for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and traveled across the South to organize voter registration drives. In 1966, he introduced the rallying cry 'Black Power' during a march in Mississippi, shifting the focus toward racial pride and self-determination. Later, he led the Black Panther Party, advocating for community control and armed self-defense against police brutality. His outspoken critiques of systemic racism and economic injustice influenced global movements for liberation. Carmichael’s legacy endures through his writings and the enduring impact of Black Power on subsequent generations. He died on November 15, 1998, remaining a symbol of radical change and empowerment.

Edoardo Agnelli was the eldest son of Fiat CEO Gianni Agnelli and heir to one of Italy’s most prominent families. He studied at Princeton University and traveled extensively, developing a deep interest in religion. After a transformative trip to Iran in the 1970s, he converted to Shia Islam, adopting a devout lifestyle. He distanced himself from the family business to follow his spiritual convictions. Edoardo’s personal journey sparked fascination and controversy in Italian society. His untimely death at 46 remains a subject of public intrigue.

Born in 1946 in Tacoma, Washington, Oba Chandler moved to Florida in the 1980s and worked as a technical illustrator. In July 1989, he murdered three women on Clearwater Beach and discarded their bodies in Tampa Bay, leading to a high-profile investigation. The case gained national attention after a postcard sketch by Chandler prompted public tips that led to his arrest. Convicted of capital murder in 1994, he was sentenced to death for the brutal crimes. Chandler spent 17 years on death row before his execution by lethal injection on November 15, 2011. His case underscored the power of public assistance in solving criminal cases.

Born in Lisbon in 1933, Caeiro worked as a café attendant during the final days of Portugal's Estado Novo regime. On April 25, 1974, she handed red carnations to soldiers involved in the military-led revolution, turning them into tokens of peace. This spontaneous gesture inspired widespread public support and gave the uprising its iconic name. Caeiro's act embodied the ethos of nonviolent protest and helped avoid bloodshed during the transition to democracy. Though she lived a private life after the revolution, her legacy is celebrated annually on Freedom Day. Her quiet courage and the power of simple symbolism continue to be taught in Portuguese history. Caeiro passed away in 2024, leaving a lasting mark on her nation's path to democracy.

Born in Tokyo in 1923 as the daughter of Prince Naruhiko Higashikuni, Yuriko married Prince Mikasa in 1941. Over decades, she championed cultural preservation, including traditional Japanese arts and crafts. As patron of charities, she supported medical research, disaster relief, and children's welfare. Princess Yuriko represented the Imperial Family at countless events, fostering goodwill abroad. She authored essays on Buddhism and Japanese heritage, sharing insights into her nation's traditions. Her long life spanned major historical changes, from pre-war Japan through postwar reconstruction. Princess Yuriko passed away in 2024, remembered for her grace, dedication, and service to society.