June 30

Born in 1817, Joseph Dalton Hooker became director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and one of the most respected botanists of his era. He led expeditions to the Himalayas, Antarctica, and India, collecting thousands of plant specimens and mapping global flora. Hooker's collaboration with Charles Darwin aided the development of evolutionary theory and plant taxonomy. His major works include 'Flora Antarctica' and 'Genera Plantarum', which remain foundational texts in botanical science. As president of the Royal Society, he advocated for scientific research and public education. Hooker's legacy endures in modern botany, with genera and species named in his honor.

Born on June 30, 1935, Harlin balanced careers as a U.S. Air Force pilot and an ambitious alpinist. He founded the American section of the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and organized expeditions to the Alps and Himalayas. In 1966, he led the "Golden Dream" expedition to establish a new route on the Eiger’s north face. Tragically, he fell to his death during the climb, just days before completing the route that now bears his name, the Harlin Direct. His determination and pioneering spirit inspired climbers worldwide to tackle challenging ascents. Harlin’s life remains a testament to the fusion of aviation precision and mountaineering daring.

Born in Tân Uyên, Vietnam, Liêm served as a fighter pilot in the Vietnam People’s Air Force before being chosen in 1978 for the Intercosmos spaceflight program. He underwent rigorous cosmonaut training at Star City near Moscow, learning spacecraft operations, zero-gravity maneuvers, and survival skills. Liêm was among the first group of Vietnamese candidates to train for a space mission, symbolizing Vietnam’s collaboration with the Soviet Union during the Cold War. Tragically, he died in a training accident in 1981 and never realized his dream of traveling to space. His legacy is honored in Vietnam through commemorative events and educational programs that inspire future generations of pilots and astronauts. Liêm’s story remains a poignant chapter in the history of human space exploration and Vietnam’s scientific endeavors.