December 24

Born near Paris, Legagneux became one of France's earliest licensed pilots in 1909. He gained fame by setting a world altitude record of 10,499 feet in 1910. Legagneux also established new speed benchmarks, showcasing the potential of powered flight. He participated in air shows across Europe, thrilling crowds with aerobatic displays. When World War I broke out, he joined military aviation and flew reconnaissance missions. He died in action in 1914, leaving a legacy as a trailblazer of early aviation.

Ernst Krenkel was born in 1903 and became a key figure in Soviet polar exploration as a radio operator. He took part in the North Pole-1 drifting ice station in 1937, providing vital communications that enabled scientific research in extreme conditions. Krenkel also participated in aerial surveys and Arctic expeditions that advanced geographic knowledge of the region. Awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union, he documented his experiences in books and lectures. His innovations in radio technology improved safety and coordination in polar missions. Krenkel died in 1971, remembered for his courage and contributions to Arctic exploration.

Born December 24, 1955, Scott Fischer became a legendary American mountaineer and founder of Mountain Madness. He led expeditions on peaks such as Mount Everest, Nanga Parbat, and others. In 1996, he reached the summit of Everest but tragically died during the infamous 1996 Everest disaster. Fischer was praised for his skillful leadership and deep passion for the mountains. His legacy endures through accounts of his courage and dedication to guiding climbers safely to high altitudes.

Oleg Viktorovich Skripochka (born 1969) is a Russian cosmonaut and mechanical engineer. Selected for cosmonaut training by Roscosmos in 2003, he has completed multiple expeditions to the International Space Station. His first mission lasted over six months, during which he conducted experiments in materials science, biology, and robotics. Skripochka performed several spacewalks to maintain and upgrade station systems. His technical expertise and dedication have contributed significantly to international space research and the development of future exploration programs.