Althea Gibson
Tennis player and golfer, Grand Slam champion
Acclaimed as a pioneer in tennis and golf, an athlete achieved significant milestones in both sports. Gibson became the first African American to compete at the U.S. National Championships in 1950 and won the championship in 1957 and 1958. She also won the French Open in 1956, becoming the first black player to win a Grand Slam title. Transitioning to golf later in her career, Gibson joined the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour and celebrated various tournament participations. Throughout her career, she broke racial barriers and opened doors for future generations of athletes.
First African American to win a Grand Slam title
Won U.S. National Championships in 1957 and 1958
Won French Open in 1956
Other People Born on August 25th
Blair Underwood
Actor in ‘Sex and the City’ series
Born
August 25th, 1964 61 years ago
An American actor, theater director, and producer recognized for performances across television, film, and theater. Gained prominence for roles in television series such as 'L.A. Law' and 'Sex and the City'. Made appearances in various films, including 'Set It Off' and 'The Art of Getting By'. Underwood has also been involved in theatrical productions and earned accolades for his work. Received nominations for several NAACP Image Awards and won the 1991 Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series for 'L.A. Law'.
Continue ReadingTim Burton
Film director and producer, 'The Nightmare Before Christmas'
Born
August 25th, 1958 67 years ago
An American director, producer, and screenwriter, this individual has made a significant mark in the film industry with a unique visual style and whimsical storytelling. Early works included 'Pee-wee's Big Adventure' and 'Beetlejuice', blending comedy with dark fantasy. A major breakthrough came with 'The Nightmare Before Christmas', a landmark in stop-motion animation. Collaborations with Johnny Depp resulted in multiple successful films including 'Edward Scissorhands', 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory', and 'Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street'. The diverse body of work spans genres, often featuring gothic aesthetics and offbeat characters, establishing a distinct cinematic identity.
Continue ReadingSanjeev Sharma
Indian cricketer and coach
Born
August 25th, 1965 60 years ago
Played as a right-arm medium-fast bowler and represented India in international cricket. Appeared in 3 One Day Internationals (ODIs) in 1989. Transitioned to a coaching role after retirement, contributing to the development of young cricketers. Worked with various domestic teams and has shared extensive knowledge of the game.
Continue ReadingMaxim Kontsevich
Mathematician and academic
Born
August 25th, 1964 61 years ago
Born in Russia and later becoming a U.S. citizen, this mathematician specializes in algebraic geometry, topology, and mathematical physics. Contributions include the development of the homological mirror symmetry conjecture and work in deformation quantization. The individual has held prestigious academic positions at various institutions, influencing both research and education in mathematics.
Continue ReadingIan Falconer
American author and illustrator of children's books
Born
August 25th, 1959 66 years ago
Died
2023 2 years ago — 64 years old
Contributed significantly to children's literature as an author and illustrator. Created the popular character Olivia, a young pig, first introduced in the book 'Olivia' published in 2000. The book received critical acclaim and won multiple awards. Designed and illustrated many other works in the Olivia series, which further established the character's legacy in children's literature. Also worked in theater as a set designer and illustrator.
Continue ReadingLane Smith
Author and illustrator of children's books
Born
August 25th, 1959 66 years ago
An American author and illustrator contributed significantly to children's literature. Smith illustrated and wrote several acclaimed picture books, showcasing a distinct artistic style. Works include 'The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales' and 'Smith's Imagination' which gained popularity for their unique storytelling and innovative illustrations. Collaborations with other authors, including Jon Scieszka, highlighted creative storytelling abilities.
Continue ReadingOther People Who Died on September 28th
Harry Saltzman
Film producer of the James Bond series
Born
October 27th, 1915 110 years ago
Died
September 28th, 1994 31 years ago — 78 years old
Born in Canada and raised in France, a production manager and film producer became prominent in the film industry. Co-founded Eon Productions and produced many iconic films, particularly in the James Bond franchise. Contributed significantly to the early success of the series, producing films such as 'Dr. No' and 'Goldfinger'. His work helped establish the bond character as an enduring figure in popular culture.
Continue ReadingJonathan Fellows-Smith
South African cricketer and rugby player
Born
1932 93 years ago
Died
September 28th, 2013 12 years ago — 81 years old
Played as a cricketer for Eastern Province and represented South Africa in rugby union. Competed in domestic cricket during the 1990s and transitioned to rugby, where participation in provincial tournaments occurred. Both sports demonstrated versatility and talent across disciplines.
Continue ReadingRené Desmaison
French mountaineer and climber
Born
April 14th, 1930 95 years ago
Died
September 28th, 2007 18 years ago — 77 years old
Born in 1930, a significant figure in French mountaineering, especially recognized for daring ascents in the Himalayas. Achieved the first ascent of the north face of the Dent du Geant in 1958. Carried out numerous ascents in the Mont Blanc massif and led several expeditions to peaks in the Himalayas, including Makalu. Contributed to the exploration of lesser-known routes and peaks, advancing the understanding of high-altitude climbing.
Continue ReadingShimon Peres
Israeli politician and 9th President
Born
August 2nd, 1923 102 years ago
Died
September 28th, 2016 9 years ago — 93 years old
Born in Poland, became a prominent Israeli politician and influential figure in the country's modern history. Served as Israel's ninth President from 2007 to 2014 and held various ministerial positions throughout his career, including Prime Minister. Played a significant role in both the founding of the state of Israel and the peace process with the Palestinians. Was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1994 alongside Yitzhak Rabin and Yasser Arafat for efforts to achieve peace in the Middle East. His leadership and vision focused on innovation and technology, contributing to the development of Israel as a high-tech powerhouse.
Continue ReadingEdwin Hubble
Astronomer known for Hubble's Law
Born
November 20th, 1889 136 years ago
Died
September 28th, 1953 72 years ago — 63 years old
An American astronomer and cosmologist developed the field of extragalactic astronomy. This individual provided evidence that the universe is expanding, leading to the formulation of Hubble's Law. The use of the 100-inch telescope at Mount Wilson Observatory facilitated groundbreaking observations of distant galaxies. The discovery of the redshift-distance relationship significantly advanced the understanding of the universe's structure and dynamics.
Continue ReadingWinfield Dunn
American politician, 43rd Governor
Born
July 1st, 1927 98 years ago
Died
September 28th, 2024 1 years ago — 97 years old
Served as the 43rd Governor of Tennessee from 1971 to 1975. Prior to the governorship, held the position of mayor of Memphis. Played a significant role in Tennessee's educational reforms and fiscal policies during tenure. After leaving office, continued to be active in business and civic affairs.
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