January 11

Vincenzo Borg, born in 1777, was a Maltese merchant who became a key leader in the uprising against French rule from 1798 to 1800. He organized local resistance and coordinated the use of fortifications around the Grand Harbour, playing a central role in the blockade of French forces. After the surrender, Borg was celebrated as a hero of Maltese independence and received widespread recognition. His strategic leadership and dedication to his country inspired future generations. He remains a significant figure in Malta’s history of resistance.

Ezra Cornell was an American businessman and philanthropist born in Westchester Landing, New York. In the 1840s, he partnered with Samuel Morse to build telegraph lines, leading to the creation of Western Union in 1856. Cornell invested in railroads and other ventures, accumulating significant wealth. In 1865, he donated land, money, and leadership to establish Cornell University as a non-sectarian institution in Ithaca, New York. He advocated for practical education accessible to all, regardless of background. Cornell served on the university’s board of trustees and shaped its early curriculum. His vision and generosity left an enduring legacy in American higher education. He died in 1874.

Socrates Nelson was an American entrepreneur and political figure born in Stillwater, Minnesota Territory in 1814. He established a successful general store and banking ventures as the region grew. Nelson was elected to the Minnesota Territorial Legislature, where he advocated for infrastructure development and statehood. He participated in drafting legislation to support railroads and schools in the territory. Nelson also invested in land and timber, contributing to local economic expansion. His leadership helped shape the political and commercial foundations of early Minnesota. He died in 1867 after a career blending business acumen and public service.

Harry Gordon Selfridge was born in 1858 in Ripon, Wisconsin, and began his career at Marshall Field & Company in Chicago. In 1909, he opened Selfridge & Co. on London's Oxford Street, transforming retail with lavish window displays, in-store restaurants, and a customer-first philosophy. Selfridge introduced novel promotions, fixed prices, and return policies that attracted shoppers from across Britain. His charismatic leadership and flair for marketing earned him international fame and wealth. Although he faced financial difficulties later in life, his legacy endures in the continued success of Selfridges, which remains one of the world's premier department stores. Selfridge passed away in 1947, leaving behind a retail empire that shaped modern consumer culture.

Born in 1895, Laurens Hammond developed a silent clock motor that led to the founding of the Hammond Clock Company. He later invented the electric Hammond organ, which became a staple in jazz, gospel, and rock music. Hammond's innovative designs combined mechanical ingenuity with musical artistry. His inventions revolutionized both timing mechanisms and musical instruments in the 20th century. He held numerous patents and established a company that still bears his name today. Hammond passed away in 1973, leaving a legacy of engineering creativity.

Carroll Shelby was an American race car driver turned automotive designer and entrepreneur. Born in Leesburg, Texas, in 1923, he developed an early passion for high-performance automobiles. After a medical discharge from the U.S. Army Air Corps, Shelby pursued a racing career in the 1950s. He won the 1959 24 Hours of Le Mans alongside co-driver Roy Salvadori. In 1962, he founded Shelby American, producing the iconic Shelby Cobra and modifying Ford Mustangs into GT350 and GT500 models. His vision and engineering innovations reshaped American sports cars and left an enduring legacy in motorsports. Shelby passed away in 2012, celebrated for his impact on automotive history.

Grant Tinker was an American television producer and executive. Born in Stamford, Connecticut, in 1925, he began his career as a programming executive at NBC in the 1950s. In 1969, Tinker co-founded MTM Enterprises with Mary Tyler Moore, producing acclaimed series like The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Hill Street Blues. He served as chairman and CEO of NBC from 1981 to 1986, overseeing a lineup that included The Cosby Show and Cheers. Tinker championed quality writing and talent-driven programming, revitalizing network television. His leadership set new standards for creative autonomy and production excellence. He passed away in 2016, remembered as a visionary behind some of television’s greatest hits.

David L. Wolper was an American television and film producer. Born in Los Angeles in 1928, he founded Wolper Productions in 1957 and began producing documentaries. He created acclaimed works like The Race for Space and American Dream, showcasing historical and cultural stories. Wolper’s 1977 miniseries Roots won multiple Emmy Awards and set a new standard for television dramas. He also produced feature films including The Sting and The Adventures of Robin Hood. Known for his narrative vision and production innovation, he influenced generations of storytellers. Wolper passed away in 2010, leaving an indelible mark on the entertainment industry.

Siti Nurhaliza Abdullah is a Malaysian singer-songwriter and pop icon, born January 11, 1979. She debuted at age 16 and quickly rose to fame with her powerful vocals and emotive ballads. Siti has released numerous multi-platinum albums and won over 200 local and international awards. In addition to her music career, she founded multiple business ventures including a cosmetics line and a production company. Her philanthropic initiatives include charity concerts and educational scholarships for underprivileged youth. She is widely recognized as one of Southeast Asia’s most influential contemporary artists.

Matt Mullenweg co-founded WordPress in 2003 at the age of 19, laying the groundwork for one of the world's most popular content management systems. He later founded Automattic, the company behind WordPress.com, fostering a global community of contributors to open-source software. Under his leadership, WordPress evolved to power over 40% of all websites on the internet, championing freedom and accessibility online. Mullenweg is a vocal advocate for open-source development and has spoken at technology conferences worldwide. He serves on multiple boards and invests in startups that promote innovation in publishing and communication. His vision continues to shape the future of digital content creation and collaboration.