February 04

Born in 1902, Charles Lindbergh rose to international fame in 1927 by completing the first solo nonstop transatlantic flight from New York to Paris in the Spirit of St. Louis. He won the Orteig Prize and became a symbol of aviation innovation and courage. Lindbergh continued his career as an aeronautical explorer, conducting surveys in South America and the Pacific. He also championed conservation efforts later in life and designed experimental aircraft. Lindbergh's achievements earned him the Medal of Honor and widespread acclaim. He remained an influential figure in aviation until his death in 1974.

Wanda Rutkiewicz was a pioneering Lithuanian-Polish mountaineer celebrated for her bold Himalayan expeditions. In 1978, she became the first European woman to summit Mount Everest and later became the first woman to reach the peaks of K2, Kangchenjunga, and Gasherbrum II. Her achievements broke gender barriers in a male-dominated sport and inspired generations of climbers. Known for her determination and technical skill, Rutkiewicz led several major Polish expeditions in the Karakoram and Nepalese Himalayas. She trained rigorously in the Tatra Mountains and was admired for her leadership and mountaineering expertise. Tragically, she disappeared in 1992 while attempting a winter ascent of Kangchenjunga, and her death remains one of mountaineering's enduring mysteries. Rutkiewicz's legacy endures as a symbol of courage and perseverance in high-altitude climbing.