January 06

Joan of Arc, a peasant girl from Domrémy, claimed divine guidance to drive the English from France during the Hundred Years' War. At about 17, she convinced Charles VII to allow her to lead the French army at the siege of Orléans, achieving a crucial victory. Captured by Burgundian forces, she was tried for heresy and burned at the stake in 1431 at age 19. Posthumously exonerated, she became a symbol of French unity and nationalism. Canonized in 1920, Joan remains an enduring figure of faith, courage, and patriotism. Her legacy is celebrated worldwide through literature, art, and film.

James Blandford Fitzmaurice was born in County Cork, Ireland, in 1898. He served in the British Royal Air Force during World War I, where he gained valuable experience as a pilot. In 1928, Fitzmaurice co-piloted the Bremen on the first successful unidirectional east–west transatlantic flight from Europe to North America. His daring feat made headlines around the world and helped advance long-distance aviation. Fitzmaurice later worked as a flight instructor and continued to promote aviation development in Ireland. His achievements inspired future generations of pilots and aerospace enthusiasts. He passed away in Dublin in 1965.

Selected by NASA in 1984, Gardner served as a mission specialist on STS-27 and STS-35. He logged over 200 hours in space, conducting satellite deployments and astronomical observations. Before NASA, he flew F-15 fighter aircraft and served in the U.S. Air Force with distinction. After leaving the astronaut corps, he continued his military career and later contributed to aerospace consulting. Gardner's journeys helped advance human spaceflight and solidified his legacy as an explorer.