August 23

Evangelos Zappas (1800–1865) was a Greek patriot and philanthropist of Aromanian descent. He dedicated his fortune to cultural and educational causes, funding schools, libraries, and museums. Most notably, he sponsored the first Olympic revival in Athens in 1859, laying groundwork for the modern Olympics. Zappas established the Zappas Olympics, celebrating Greek heritage and athleticism. He supported linguistic and academic societies to promote Greek language and history. Zappas's legacy endures in the Olympic movement and the institutions he helped found. He is remembered as a visionary benefactor of Greek culture and sports.

William Southam (1843–1932) was a Canadian publisher and media entrepreneur. He established the Hamilton Spectator and later built a chain of newspapers across Canada. Southam's publishing empire included major dailies such as the Ottawa Citizen and Calgary Herald. He championed journalistic standards and expanded newspaper syndication networks. Under his leadership, Southam newspapers became known for comprehensive local and national coverage. He helped professionalize Canadian journalism and fostered a national press identity. Southam's descendants continued his media legacy throughout the 20th century.

Born in 1890 in Kentucky, Harry Frank Guggenheim was a prominent American businessman and philanthropist. He co-founded the Long Island newspaper Newsday in 1940, championing investigative journalism. Guggenheim held diplomatic posts as U.S. Ambassador to Cuba and Nigeria in the 1920s and 1950s. He established research foundations in aviation and gerontology through his charitable trust. An avid horse breeder and art collector, he influenced cultural institutions across the United States. Guggenheim died in 1971, leaving a diverse legacy in media, philanthropy, and public service.

Born in Cumbria in 1943, Dale Campbell-Savours built a career in business before entering politics as a Labour MP. Elected to represent Workington in 1979, he championed workers’ rights and local industry in the House of Commons. He served on key select committees and as Parliamentary Private Secretary at the Foreign Office, gaining a reputation for diligent constituency work. Upon retiring from the Commons in 2001, he was elevated to the House of Lords as Baron Campbell-Savours of Allerdale. In the Lords, he has continued to engage in public service and charitable initiatives in his native region.

Born in Philadelphia in 1978, Kobe Bryant entered the NBA directly from high school as the 13th overall pick by the Charlotte Hornets and was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. Over a 20-year career, he earned five NBA championships, two Finals MVP awards, and 18 All-Star selections, becoming one of the greatest scorers in league history. Bryant scored a career-high 81 points in a single game in 2006, the second-highest total ever recorded. Internationally, he won Olympic gold with Team USA in 2008 and 2012. After retiring, he founded Granity Studios and won an Academy Award for his animated short Dear Basketball. Bryant also authored children’s books and coached youth basketball. His life tragically ended in a helicopter crash in 2020 alongside his daughter Gianna, prompting global mourning.