February 04

Born in 1464 to King Louis XI of France and Queen Charlotte of Savoy, Jeanne de Valois grew up at the Valois court. She witnessed the consolidation of royal authority and participated in courtly ceremonies. As a royal princess, she was involved in dynastic politics and influenced noble alliances. She was known for her devout faith and support of religious institutions. She died on February 4, 1505, and is commemorated for her dignified presence at court.

Franz Reichelt was an Austrian-born French tailor and amateur inventor. He designed a wearable parachute suit aiming to help aviators descend safely from balloons. On February 4, 1912, Reichelt leaped from the Eiffel Tower to test his device, which failed to open. His fatal jump was witnessed by a crowd and recorded by news cameras, drawing international attention. Reichelt's daring experiment reflected early aviation pioneers' quest for safety innovations. Although his design remained flawed, his story endures as a testament to human daring and invention.

Born in 1909, Georg Konrad Morgen served as a judge in the SS legal system, where he pursued cases against camp officials for embezzlement and murder. Despite working within the Nazi regime, he courageously exposed atrocities at camps like Auschwitz and Buchenwald. His investigations led to several high-profile trials, though many were suppressed by higher authorities. After the war, Morgen continued his legal career, reflecting on the moral complexities of justice under totalitarian rule. He died in 1982, remembered for his bold stand against corruption and crimes.

István Csurka (1934-2012) was a Hungarian journalist and political figure. He began his career as an editor of literary and political journals. In 1993, he co-founded the Hungarian Justice and Life Party (MIÉP), serving as its leader. Csurka's nationalist views and outspoken rhetoric made him a controversial figure. He served multiple terms in the Hungarian Parliament from 1998 to 2006. As a writer, he published essays and plays reflecting social and political themes. His legacy remains divisive, with supporters praising his patriotism and critics condemning his extremism.