November 24

Born into the House of Lancaster as a daughter of John of Gaunt, she was raised amid the political intrigues of the late medieval English court. Her first marriage to John Holland, a half-brother of King Richard II, linked her to the royal lineage but ended in annulment. She later wed Sir John Cornwall, who was created Earl of Kent for his service in France. Elizabeth navigated turbulent times, surviving the overthrow of Richard II and the rise of the Lancastrian kings. She was known for her piety, patronage of religious houses, and skillful management of her estates. She died in 1426 surrounded by her children and grandchildren.

Also known as Lodewijk van Gruuthuse, he rose to prominence in 15th-century Bruges as a wealthy patrician and art patron. He served as stadtholder of Flanders and represented Burgundian interests at European courts. In recognition of his loyalty, Henry VI of England granted him the title Earl of Winchester in 1472. Loys assembled one of the finest personal libraries of his time, commissioning illuminated manuscripts and supporting artists. His court was a center of culture and political intrigue during the Wars of the Roses. He died in 1492, remembered for his diplomatic skill and contributions to the Flemish Renaissance.

Philip Hamilton was born in 1782 as the first child of Alexander and Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton. Educated alongside children of New York’s elite, he showed promise in rhetoric and leadership. In November 1801, Philip challenged lawyer George Eacker to a duel after Eacker disparaged his father. He was mortally wounded and died the following day, a loss that devastated the Hamilton family. His untimely death foreshadowed the later tragedy of his father’s own fatal duel. Though he never held public office, Philip’s story became part of the early American narrative of honor and sacrifice.

Born in 1840 in Sangerville, Maine, Hiram Maxim became a pioneering inventor and engineer. After moving to England, he developed the Maxim gun in 1883, the first truly portable machine gun that revolutionized modern warfare. His groundbreaking design was adopted by armies worldwide and fundamentally changed battlefield tactics. Maxim held over 100 patents, experimenting with early aviation, electricity, and steam-powered vehicles. He authored several books on technology and his contributions left a lasting mark on military and engineering history.

Anna Jarvis was born in 1864 in Webster, West Virginia, and dedicated her life to commemorating her late mother. In 1908, she organized the first Mother's Day celebration at a church in Grafton, West Virginia. Her campaign led to the U.S. Congress designating Mother's Day as a national holiday in 1914. Jarvis later protested the commercialization of the holiday she created, distancing herself from its corporate exploitation. Her perseverance established a day of recognition that remains one of the most celebrated in the United States.

Mamie Dillard was born in 1874 and became a respected African American teacher and clubwoman. She led local women's clubs that focused on education, social welfare, and voter registration initiatives. Dillard advocated tirelessly for women's suffrage and civil rights during the early 20th century. Her community leadership provided vital support networks and opportunities for African American women. Her contributions laid groundwork for future advances in education and racial equality.

Lee Harvey Oswald (1939–1963) was a former U.S. Marine who defected to the Soviet Union and returned to the United States. On November 22, 1963, he assassinated President John F. Kennedy in Dallas, Texas, a crime that shocked the world. Oswald was arrested shortly after the shooting but was killed two days later by nightclub owner Jack Ruby. His motives and possible conspiracies have fueled decades of investigation and debate. Oswald remains a central figure in one of the most studied events in modern American history.

June Keithley began her career as a film and television actress in the Philippines, captivating audiences with her performances. She later transitioned into broadcast journalism, becoming a respected news anchor and radio personality. During pivotal moments in Philippine history, her reporting provided a trusted voice to listeners nationwide. Her dedication to truthful reporting and her pioneering presence as a female broadcaster inspired a generation of journalists. Keithley's legacy endures through her contributions to both the arts and the media.