December 25

Born in 1543 to Sir Francis Knollys and Catherine Carey, Lettice Knollys served as a lady-in-waiting to Queen Elizabeth I, her first cousin once removed. She secretly married Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, provoking the queen’s wrath and resulting in her banishment from court. After Dudley’s death, she controversially married Charles Blount, 8th Baron Mountjoy, further straining royal relations. Despite these scandals, Lettice maintained her estates and patronage networks in Warwickshire and Leicestershire. She later reconciled with Elizabeth and returned to courtly circles in her later years. She lived to be over ninety, leaving a legacy of intrigue and resilience.

Born in 1609 in Westcliff-on-Sea, Hale studied at Oxford and was called to the bar in 1636, quickly gaining a reputation for legal acumen. He served as a judge during the English Civil War and after the Restoration was appointed Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales. Hale authored the seminal legal treatise 'Historia Placitorum Coronae', which influenced criminal law and procedure for centuries. Known for his fairness, he established principles of evidence and advocated humane treatment for the accused. His refusal to condemn witchcraft on dubious grounds marked him as a progressive thinker in a superstitious age. Hale died in 1676, remembered as one of the great jurists in English legal history.

Born in 1909, George Steer was a South African-English journalist and author renowned for his investigative coverage of conflicts. He exposed the bombing of Guernica during the Spanish Civil War and reported on the Second Italo-Ethiopian War. Working for The Times, his vivid dispatches brought international attention to atrocities. His meticulous research and compelling narrative style influenced modern war journalism. He continued his career covering World War II until his untimely death in 1944. His pioneering work set new standards for frontline reporting.

Michael Peto was born in Budapest in 1908 and began his career as a photographer and journalist in Hungary. He relocated to London on the eve of World War II, where he documented life on the British home front. Peto’s work captured everyday scenes and prominent figures, blending humanist storytelling with photographic artistry. After the war, he traveled across Europe, producing photo essays that highlighted reconstruction and social change. His images appeared in magazines and exhibitions, earning recognition for their warmth and depth. Peto passed away on December 25, 1970, leaving behind a rich archive of photographs that continue to resonate for their historical and emotional insights.

Gabriel Voisin was born in Belleville-sur-Saône, France in 1880 and, with his brother Charles, co-founded the pioneering Voisin aircraft company. Under his engineering leadership, the company produced some of the world’s first successful military and civilian airplanes during the early 20th century. Voisin designs were notable for their stability and innovative use of metal components in aircraft construction. During World War I, his planes served on the Western Front, solidifying his reputation as a leading aviation engineer. After the war, Voisin shifted his creative talents to automobile and boat design, founding an automobile company that bore his name. He died on December 25, 1973, remembered as a visionary whose work laid the foundations for modern aviation.

Born in 1928, Hewitt became one of Canada's most recognizable voices in hockey broadcasting. He began his career in the early 1950s and quickly rose to prominence calling NHL games for CBC. His distinctive style and memorable catchphrases endeared him to fans across the nation. Hewitt's broadcasts helped shape the golden age of televised hockey in Canada. After retiring in 1981, he left a lasting impact on sports media and inspired future generations of commentators. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as a media honoree in 1986.

Born in 1934, Joseph Pararajasingham began his career as a journalist before entering business and later politics. He was elected to the Sri Lankan Parliament representing Batticaloa, where he championed the rights of minority communities during a time of civil unrest. Pararajasingham was known for his efforts to foster interethnic dialogue and development projects in the Eastern Province. His assassination on December 25, 2005, while attending a religious service, sparked national and international condemnation. His legacy includes his advocacy for peace and reconciliation amid a protracted conflict.

Born in 1920, Giorgio Bocca fought as a partisan during World War II before embarking on a distinguished journalism career. He wrote for leading Italian publications such as L'Espresso and La Repubblica, becoming known for his fearless investigative reporting and sharp political analysis. Bocca authored numerous books on Italian history, culture, and the mafia, earning critical acclaim. His columns often challenged power structures and defended civil liberties, making him one of Italy's most respected public intellectuals. Throughout his life, he remained a vocal advocate for democracy, social justice, and historical memory. Bocca's work influenced generations of journalists and readers in Italy and beyond.

Lola Lange was a Canadian rural feminist and advocate for women's rights who brought the concerns of farm women to national attention. In 1967, she was appointed to the Royal Commission on the Status of Women, where she influenced recommendations on equality in education, employment, and healthcare. Through extensive travels across Canada, she highlighted unique challenges faced by rural communities and helped shape the country's approach to gender equity. Lange died on December 25, 2013, at the age of 91.

Sulagitti Narasamma was an Indian midwife born in 1920. Over her seven-decade career, she delivered more than 15,000 babies in remote areas of Karnataka without formal medical training. She traveled on foot across villages, offering her services to expectant mothers who lacked access to hospitals. Narasamma became a cultural icon and earned the Padma Shri award in 2018 for her humanitarian work. Her dedication saved countless lives and improved maternal health in underserved communities. She continued her midwifery work until shortly before her death in 2018, inspiring generations of healthcare volunteers.