June 28

Born in 1868 as Sophie Chotek, she married Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria in a morganatic union that placed her outside the official imperial line. Although excluded from imperial ceremonies, Sophie was a devoted companion to her husband and mother to their children. On June 28, 1914, they were both assassinated in Sarajevo by Gavrilo Princip. Her death, along with Franz Ferdinand's, set off a chain of events that led to World War I. Sophie's tragic story reflects the complexities of imperial protocol and personal loyalty. She is remembered as a reluctant public figure whose fate became entwined with global history.

Born in 1870 in Vilnius, Berkman immigrated to the United States in 1888 and embraced anarchist ideology. He attempted the assassination of industrialist Henry Clay Frick, leading to fourteen years in prison. His Prison Memoirs of an Anarchist (1912) offered a gripping account of his incarceration and political beliefs. Berkman edited radical newspapers, organized labor unions, and wrote extensively on workers’ rights. In later years, he moved to the Soviet Union but became disillusioned, spending his final years in Moscow. He died in 1936, leaving a legacy of uncompromising commitment to freedom and justice.

Yunus Nadi Abalıoğlu (1879–1945) was a pioneering Turkish journalist and newspaper publisher. He studied at Galatasaray High School and became a close ally of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. In 1924, he founded the Cumhuriyet newspaper, which played a key role in promoting the ideals of the Turkish Republic. He served as a member of parliament and used his platform to advocate for secularism and modernization. His fearless reporting and editorial leadership shaped the development of modern Turkish journalism.

Born in Hamburg in 1918, Francis moved to England and became chief mechanic for Tony Vandervell's Vanwall team, playing a pivotal role in the outfit's 1958 Formula One World Championship victory. His engineering skill and innovative approach to chassis design established him as one of the era's leading mechanics. After leaving Vanwall, Francis founded AFM (Alf Francis Motor Racing), building and racing his own cars in Formula Two and lower categories. He also wrote technical articles for motorsport publications, sharing his expertise. Francis's contributions helped advance British racing engineering during its formative years. He passed away in 1983, remembered as a pioneering figure behind the scenes in Grand Prix racing.

Born in Nijmegen in 1898, Ivens began making short avant-garde films in the late 1920s, earning acclaim for Rain (1929) and The Bridge (1928). He collaborated with writers such as Ernest Hemingway on The Spanish Earth (1937), documenting the fight against fascism in Spain. Over six decades, Ivens produced more than 200 films on subjects ranging from China's revolution to post-war reconstruction in Europe. His documentaries combined poetic imagery with a strong social conscience, influencing generations of non-fiction filmmakers. Ivens co-founded the film journal Cinematic and served on juries at major international festivals. He died in 1989, remembered as one of the most prolific and politically committed directors of the 20th century.

Brenda Howard was born in New York City in 1946 and became a pioneering figure in LGBT liberation and feminist movements. She coordinated the 1970 Christopher Street Liberation Day, commemorating the first anniversary of the Stonewall uprising. Howard helped establish the New York Area Bisexual Network and advocated for bisexual visibility within LGBT advocacy. She worked on domestic violence prevention and co-founded student LGBT organizations at Rutgers University. Her efforts in organizing parades and demonstrations earned her the title 'Mother of Pride.' Howard’s activism laid the groundwork for annual Pride events around the world, and her legacy is celebrated by LGBTQ communities.