August 13

Samuel de Champlain (1567–1635) was a French navigator and explorer who established settlements in North America. He founded Quebec City in 1608 and served as its first governor, laying the foundations of New France. Champlain mapped parts of northeastern North America and forged alliances with Indigenous peoples. His detailed maps and reports provided valuable knowledge of the Atlantic coast and the Great Lakes. He explored the St. Lawrence River and ventured into the lake later named Lake Champlain in his honor. Champlain's diplomatic skills and vision helped shape the early development of French colonial ventures.

He was born in 1790 in New South Wales to a prominent colonial family. In 1813, Wentworth co-led the first successful European expedition across the Blue Mountains, opening new lands for settlement. After his travels, he established a career as a newspaper editor, championing freedom of the press. He served in the New South Wales Legislative Council, advocating for representative government and civil rights. Wentworth's contributions helped shape the early political and geographic landscape of Australia.

Philippe Petit captured the world's imagination by performing a high-wire walk between the World Trade Center towers in 1974. He spent months planning and secretly rigging his equipment to execute the feat 1,350 feet above ground. Petit's act, later called the Artistic Crime of the Century, blended performance art and extreme athleticism. He learned his craft in France before touring globally with his aerial performances. After the Twin Towers walk, he continued tightrope walks in cathedrals, bridges, and other iconic sites. Petit's story inspired documentaries and films, highlighting his philosophy of living life at full stretch.