Yes John...

Strangely I was going to mention Tesla as there were celebrations on July 10....

"Nikola Tesla Day" (July 10th), a Day of Science around the world is becoming a reality. In 2002, the Tesla Memorial Society of New York and Tesla Forum from Australia proposed to Kofi Annan, Secretary General of the United Nations at that time, the proclamation of "Nikola Tesla Day" as a Day of Science.

There is currently an initiative in Serbia and Croatia to propose to the General Assembly of the United Nations the voting for "Nikola Tesla Day" as an international holiday. We hope the United States of America will also support "Nikola Tesla Day". Nikola Tesla spent 60 years of his life in New York City and contributed his genius and work to all nations around the world.

as well: http://books.google.com/books?id=MqUM0Fm-BX4C&pg=PT3&sig=dhkB2XG60QmxteDnWSrYZTMhNBo&hl=en#v=onepage&q&f=false

and much other references to this unsung genius whose practical work did more to advance humanity than even Einstein...