August 28

Edward Dando (died 1832) became infamous in London for his habit of ordering extravagant meals at inns and pubs without intending to pay.\nKnown for consuming large quantities of food, he relied on charm and misdirection to avoid the bill.\nHis escapades often ended in court appearances for debt and theft, capturing the public’s fascination.\nDando’s story highlighted issues of poverty, criminal justice, and social attitudes toward debt in Victorian England.\nHis colorful persona inspired tales and commentary in newspapers and popular literature of the era.

Born in 1941 in Chicago, Emmett Till traveled to Mississippi in the summer of 1955 to visit relatives. At age 14, he was accused of offending a local white woman and was abducted, beaten, and killed by two white men. His mother, Mamie Till-Mobley, insisted on an open-casket funeral, exposing the brutal realities of racial violence. Photographs of Till's disfigured face were widely published, shocking the nation and fueling the emerging civil rights movement. Although the accused men were acquitted by an all-white jury, Till's case remains a pivotal moment in American history. His death underscored the urgent need for racial justice and inspired activism leading to landmark civil rights legislation.

Born in 1941 into the British royal family, Prince William of Gloucester pursued a career in diplomacy and the military. Educated at Eton and Cambridge, he served in the British Foreign Service with postings overseas. An accomplished pilot, he represented Britain in air races and championed aviation safety initiatives. He supported charitable causes, particularly advocating for people with disabilities following a personal accident. William's dedication to duty and adventurous spirit earned him widespread respect and affection. His life was tragically cut short at age 31 in a glider crash, leaving a legacy of public service and courage.

Russell Lee (1903–1986) was an American photographer and journalist best known for his Farm Security Administration work. His evocative images captured the impact of the Great Depression on rural America. Lee traveled extensively, documenting tenant farmers, sharecroppers, and small towns. His photographs combined documentary rigor with artistic composition. Lee's work remains a vital record of 1930s America and continues to influence documentary photography.