February 12

Born in 1933 in the Soviet Union, Anikeyev was chosen as part of the inaugural cosmonaut corps in 1960. He underwent rigorous training for potential Vostok missions, mastering spacecraft systems and survival techniques. Anikeyev trained with legendary figures such as Yuri Gagarin and Gherman Titov. Due to health concerns, he did not fly in space but contributed to program development. After leaving the corps, he worked as a test pilot and instructor for aerospace programs. Anikeyev’s dedication helped lay the groundwork for future Soviet spaceflights. He passed away in 1992, remembered as a pioneer of human space exploration.

Naomi Uemura was a pioneering Japanese mountaineer and explorer renowned for his solo accomplishments. In 1970, he became the first person to climb Denali entirely alone via the West Buttress route. He completed a 12,500-kilometer solo dog-sled journey across Greenland in 1971 and traversed the North Pole unsupported in 1978. Uemura also sailed solo across the Pacific Ocean from Japan to San Francisco. His fearless approach and innovative techniques inspired a generation of adventurers. He disappeared on the descent of Denali in 1984, leaving a lasting legacy in the mountaineering world.