Abraham Iyambo
Namibian politician and Minister
Served as a prominent Namibian politician involved in government and leadership roles. Held the position of Minister of Youth, National Service, Sport and Culture, contributing to policies supporting youth empowerment and cultural development. Played a significant role in the founding of the Namibian youth parliament, focusing on the engagement of young people in national governance.
Served as Minister of Youth, National Service, Sport and Culture
Contributed to the establishment of the Namibian youth parliament
Other People Born on February 2nd
Salem al-Hazmi
Terrorist and hijacker of Flight 77
Born
February 2nd, 1981 45 years ago
Died
2001 25 years ago — 20 years old
Born in Saudi Arabia in 1981, engaged in the September 11 attacks. Hijacked American Airlines Flight 77, which was crashed into the Pentagon. Coordinated with other hijackers as part of a larger group involved in planned attacks on U.S. soil. Operated under the directive of terrorist organizations with goals to incite fear and promote their ideology.
Continue ReadingJohnston McCulley
Author of Zorro stories
Born
February 2nd, 1883 143 years ago
Died
1958 68 years ago — 75 years old
An American author and screenwriter, contributions include the creation of the character Zorro, first introduced in the 1919 story 'The Curse of Capistrano'. The character became a popular hero in various adaptations, including films, television series, and comics. The iconic masked vigilante, known for his swordsmanship and wit, captured the imagination of readers and viewers alike.
Continue ReadingGotthard Kettler
Duke of Courland and Semigallia
Born
February 2nd, 1517 509 years ago
Died
1587 439 years ago — 70 years old
Held the position of the last Master of the Livonian Order. Transitioned authority to become the first Duke of Courland and Semigallia following the dissolution of the order. Established the duchy as a territorial entity under Polish sovereignty. Promoted trade and industry within the region during his rule.
Continue ReadingEva Cassidy
Singer known for 'Songbird' album
Born
February 2nd, 1963 63 years ago
Died
November 2nd, 1996 29 years ago — 33 years old
Born in 1963, a talented American singer and guitarist. Gained recognition posthumously for powerful vocal performances. Blended various musical genres including folk, jazz, and pop. Released the album 'Songbird' in 1998, which showcased unique interpretations of classic songs. Her renditions of 'Over the Rainbow' and 'Fields of Gold' contributed to a strong cult following. Although initially underappreciated during her lifetime, her music gained significant airplay and sales years after her death, leading to multiple posthumous awards and accolades.
Continue ReadingGabriel Naudé
French librarian and scholar
Born
February 2nd, 1600 426 years ago
Died
July 10th, 1653 372 years ago — 53 years old
A prominent figure in the 17th century, contributed significantly to the field of library science and scholarship. Authored 'Advis pour dresser une bibliothèque', a work that provided guidelines on building and managing libraries. Served as the librarian to Cardinal Mazarin, where established notable collections and advanced library organization practices. Actively participated in the intellectual community of his time, influencing librarianship and research methodologies.
Continue ReadingSolomon R. Guggenheim
Businessman, Founder of Guggenheim Museum
Born
February 2nd, 1861 165 years ago
Died
1949 77 years ago — 88 years old
A businessman and philanthropist, established the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York City to showcase modern art. The museum opened in 1959, featuring an innovative building designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Guggenheim was instrumental in promoting and collecting contemporary art, building a collection that enriched the cultural landscape of the United States.
Continue ReadingOther People Who Died on February 2nd
Marija Gimbutas
Archeologist with Kurgan Hypothesis
Born
1921 105 years ago
Died
February 2nd, 1994 32 years ago — 73 years old
Lithuanian-American archeologist specialized in European prehistory, focusing on the role of women and matriarchal societies. Gimbutas formulated the Kurgan Hypothesis, which proposed that the Kurgan culture spread Indo-European languages from the steppes into Europe. She conducted extensive excavations and published influential works, including 'The Goddesses and Gods of Old Europe' and 'The Civilization of the Goddess'. Her theories sparked significant discussions in archaeology and anthropology regarding gender roles and the interpretation of ancient societies.
Continue ReadingEric XI of Sweden
King of Sweden, led during the 13th century
Born
1216 810 years ago
Died
February 2nd, 1250 776 years ago — 34 years old
Ruled as King of Sweden from 1222 until death in 1250. His reign was marked by conflicts with both internal nobility and external rivals. Succeeded his father, John I of Sweden, to the throne. Undertook military campaigns to expand territory and solidify Swedish power in the region. Involved in the church's interests, he worked to strengthen the influence of Christianity in Sweden. His reign ended with his death in 1250, leading to a succession crisis.
Continue ReadingGiovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina
Composer of sacred choral music
Born
1525 501 years ago
Died
February 2nd, 1594 432 years ago — 69 years old
An Italian composer of the Renaissance period, focused on sacred music. Established a style that influenced the development of choral music. Served as the music director at various churches in Italy and educated many students in composition. The body of work includes various masses, motets, and hymns, with a clear focus on polyphonic texture and clarity of text. Contributed to the formulation of the canon of church music and is often associated with the development of the Roman School of composition.
Continue ReadingPyotr Konchalovsky
Russian painter known for landscapes
Born
1876 150 years ago
Died
February 2nd, 1956 70 years ago — 80 years old
A prominent Russian painter contributed significantly to the development of the Russian avant-garde movement. His artistic career spanned several decades, during which he embraced various styles and techniques. He studied at the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture and later became associated with the World of Art movement. He created numerous landscape paintings, many depicting the Russian countryside. In the 1920s, he adopted elements of abstraction and incorporated them into his works. The artist also participated in various exhibitions, both domestically and internationally, showcasing his artwork across Europe. He continued to work until his death in 1956.
Continue ReadingJames F. Lloyd
American pilot and politician
Born
1922 104 years ago
Died
February 2nd, 2012 14 years ago — 90 years old
A pilot who served in the United States Air Force, held the rank of major. Transitioned to a political career, serving as a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from 1971 to 1973. Advocated for various aviation and defense issues during tenure. Actively participated in legislative efforts to advance civil aviation policies.
Continue ReadingJohn Kerr
American actor and lawyer with expertise in law
Born
November 15th, 1931 94 years ago
Died
February 2nd, 2013 13 years ago — 81 years old
An American actor gained recognition for roles in film and television. Played the role of Alan Seymour in the 1955 film 'Tea and Sympathy', which earned critical acclaim. Appeared in the television series 'The King and I' and was highlighted for performances in 'The Mating Game' and 'Ship of Fools'. In addition to acting, engaged in a legal career, practicing law. Received attention for contributions to the arts and legal fields.
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