August 23

Jean-François de Galaup, comte de Lapérouse (1741–1788) was a French naval officer and explorer. Commissioned by King Louis XVI, he led a global scientific expedition to the Pacific in 1785. His voyages charted parts of Australia, New Guinea, and the coasts of North America. After departing Botany Bay in 1788, his ships mysteriously vanished near the Solomon Islands. Artifacts later found on Vanikoro provided clues to the fate of his expedition.

Galen Rowell was an American climber, photographer, and author celebrated for his vivid color landscape images. Born in 1940, he began mountaineering in his teens and climbed extensively in the Sierra Nevada and Himalayas. Rowell pioneered portable camera techniques that allowed him to capture dramatic moments on remote peaks. His work appeared in National Geographic and Outdoor Photographer, inspiring adventure seekers worldwide. He authored several books on photography and mountaineering, sharing technical advice and personal stories. Tragically, Rowell died in a plane crash in 2002 while on assignment. His legacy endures through his iconic images and support for emerging photographers.