March 06

Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. was born in 1841 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and served as a Union Army officer during the American Civil War. After the war, he studied law at Harvard and gained prominence as a lawyer and lecturer. In 1902, President Theodore Roosevelt appointed him to the U.S. Supreme Court, where he served for nearly three decades. Holmes's opinions, including his famous 'clear and present danger' test in free speech cases, helped shape American constitutional law. He emphasized judicial restraint and the importance of experience in interpreting the law. Known for his wit and aphorisms, Holmes became one of the Court's most cited justices. He retired in 1932 and died on March 6, 1935, leaving a profound legacy on legal thought and civil liberties in the United States.

Tommy Vance began his broadcasting career in the 1960s on offshore stations like Radio Caroline before joining BBC Radio 1. He earned the nickname "TV" from his initials and launched the Friday Rock Show in 1981 as a platform for heavy metal and hard rock. For over a decade, his show introduced emerging bands and rare tracks to national audiences. Vance won a Sony Gold Award for his impact on British radio and remained a dedicated champion of rock music. He passed away on March 6, 2005, leaving a lasting influence on UK broadcasting.

Anne Braden was born in Kentucky in 1924 and became a journalist covering social issues. After witnessing segregation in the South, she co-led campaigns for school desegregation and civil rights. In 1954, she faced FBI scrutiny for helping a Black family purchase a home in Louisville, Kentucky. Braden worked with the Southern Conference Educational Fund and authored influential writings on race and social justice. She received numerous awards for her activism and fearless journalism. Braden died on March 6, 2006, leaving a legacy of dedication to equality.

Betty Millard was an American philanthropist and activist born in 1911. She dedicated herself to charitable work and social reform, supporting various community welfare programs. Millard collaborated with non-profit organizations to expand access to education and healthcare for underserved populations. Her leadership in fundraising and volunteer coordination mobilized resources for local outreach projects. Renowned for her compassionate spirit and unwavering advocacy, she inspired many to participate in civic service. Millard passed away in 2010, leaving behind a legacy of service and social impact.

Born in 1937 on a California ranch, Sheila Varian developed a lifelong affinity for Arabian horses. She founded Varian Arabians in 1970, breeding horses that earned national championships in both halter and performance classes. Varian championed natural horsemanship techniques, emphasizing trust and communication between horse and rider. Her innovative training methods influenced equestrians around the world and helped elevate the Arabian breed's popularity. In 2007, she received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Arabian Horse Association. Sheila Varian continued to mentor trainers and breeders until her death in 2016, leaving a lasting impact on the horse community.

Born in 1929 in the United Kingdom, Graham Pink trained as a hospital nurse and developed a reputation for clinical excellence. In 2003, he published Nursing on the Line, exposing dangerous staffing shortages and unsafe practices in the NHS. His whistleblowing sparked a national debate on patient care quality and nurse-to-patient ratios. Despite facing professional repercussions, Pink remained an outspoken advocate for transparency in healthcare. He lectured and wrote extensively on nursing ethics, influencing policy discussions on hospital management. Graham Pink passed away in 2021, remembered for his uncompromising commitment to patient welfare.