November 18

Born in 1719, Jacques-Alexandre Laffon de Ladebat founded one of France’s leading shipbuilding and trading enterprises. He established regular voyages to the West Indies, transporting goods and strengthening colonial commerce. Laffon de Ladebat invested in port infrastructure around Bordeaux, fostering maritime innovation and efficiency. His business acumen helped solidify France’s position in Atlantic trade networks. Beyond commerce, he supported philanthropic efforts, funding hospitals and schools in his native region. His entrepreneurial spirit exemplified the dynamic commerce of Enlightenment-era France.

Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. was born in 1888 into a prominent Irish-American family in Boston. He made a fortune in banking, stock trading, and Hollywood investments during the 1920s. Appointed as the first Chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, he championed financial reform. From 1938 to 1940, he served as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom, navigating pre-war diplomacy. Kennedy's business acumen and political connections established the foundation for the Kennedy political dynasty. He later retired from public service, focusing on philanthropy and family. He died in 1969, remembered as a powerful figure in both American finance and politics.

Born in 1895 in Toronto, Thomas Conn Smythe served as an officer in World War I and later in the Canadian military reserves. After the war, he became involved in ice hockey, playing briefly as a defenseman and later managing and coaching teams. In 1927, he founded and became principal owner of the Toronto Maple Leafs, a franchise he would lead for decades. Under his leadership, the Maple Leafs won five Stanley Cups between 1932 and 1967. Smythe was also a successful businessman, investing in mining, real estate, and horse racing. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1975 for his contributions to the sport. Smythe died in 1980, remembered as a pioneering builder of professional hockey in Canada.

Phoebe Hearst Cooke, born in 1927, was the granddaughter of publishing magnate William Randolph Hearst. As a director of the Hearst Foundation, she supported museums, education programs, and medical research. Cooke played a key role in preserving the family's art collections and historic properties. Her philanthropy extended to youth and community initiatives in California. She received accolades for her leadership in nonprofit organizations and left a lasting impact on the arts and education before her death in 2012.