April 30

Born in London in 1770, David Thompson began his career with the Hudson’s Bay Company before joining the North West Company. Over nearly four decades, he conducted detailed surveys and created maps covering more than 3.9 million square kilometres of North America, including the Columbia River region. His accurate cartographic work was instrumental in opening the western territories to trade and settlement. Thompson’s journals provide rich accounts of indigenous communities and the natural environment. Often called the 'greatest land geographer,' he died in Montreal in 1857, leaving an enduring legacy in exploration and mapping.

Michael J. Smith began his career as a naval aviator and test pilot before being selected by NASA as an astronaut in 1980. He completed rigorous training and served as pilot on the first flight of the Space Shuttle Challenger in 1985. Smith was chosen as pilot for the STS-51-L mission, which tragically ended in the Challenger disaster in 1986. His dedication to aviation and space exploration exemplified the courage and professionalism of the astronaut corps. Posthumously, Smith has been honored through memorials, scholarships, and dedications in aerospace institutions. His legacy endures as a reminder of the risks and rewards of human spaceflight.

Victor J. Glover is an American astronaut, naval aviator, and engineer. Selected by NASA in 2013, he flew as the pilot on the SpaceX Crew-1 mission, becoming the first African American to serve on a long-duration expedition aboard the International Space Station. Prior to NASA, Glover served as a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy, flying F/A-18 aircraft and working as a test pilot. He holds degrees in engineering and has contributed to aerospace research and technology development. Glover continues to support NASA missions and advocate for STEM education.