Bertalan Székely
Hungarian painter and academic
Born in 1835, this Hungarian painter and academic contributed significantly to the art world through a distinctive style combining realism and romanticism. Studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna and established a prominent career as a painter. Focused on historical and religious subjects, receiving acclaim for works that depicted moments of Hungarian history. Participated in the 1867 Paris Exposition, further gaining recognition. Later became a professor at the Hungarian Academy of Fine Arts, mentoring future generations of artists and influencing the development of Hungarian arts.
Contributed to the 1867 Paris Exposition
Served as a professor at the Hungarian Academy of Fine Arts
Other People Born on May 8th
Aloysius Stepinac
Croatian Cardinal and Archbishop
Born
May 8th, 1898 127 years ago
Died
February 10th, 1960 65 years ago — 61 years old
Served as the Archbishop of Zagreb and a prominent figure in the Catholic Church during World War II. Opposed the Axis powers' influence in Croatia and spoke out against the persecution of Jews and other marginalized groups. After the war, faced a show trial by the Yugoslav communist government, resulting in a conviction viewed as politically motivated. Later, canonized by the Catholic Church for his service and martyrdom.
Continue ReadingFernandel
French actor and singer
Born
May 8th, 1903 122 years ago
Died
1971 54 years ago — 68 years old
Born in 1903, this French actor and singer became a prominent figure in the cinematic landscape of the 20th century. Gaining recognition for his roles in comedy films, he showcased a unique charm and personality through characters in popular movies. Major works include 'La Vache et le Prisonnier' and the 'Don Camillo' series, where performances highlighted a blend of humor and emotion. His career spanned several decades, and his contributions to film helped shape French cinema.
Continue ReadingJohn Snagge
English journalist and news presenter
Born
May 8th, 1904 121 years ago
Died
March 26th, 1996 29 years ago — 91 years old
A journalist and news presenter in England, played a significant role in broadcasting and news reporting. Worked at the BBC where provided coverage of major events, including World War II. Was the main presenter of the BBC's television news from the inception of the television service in 1955 until retirement in the early 1980s. His contributions to journalism included not only reporting but also the presentation of news in a clear and authoritative manner.
Continue ReadingRoss Barnes
Baseball player and manager in 19th century
Born
May 8th, 1850 175 years ago
Died
February 5th, 1915 110 years ago — 64 years old
An American baseball player and manager, made significant contributions to the early development of professional baseball. Played as a shortstop and was one of the first players to excel in batting, earning a reputation as a skilled hitter. Competed in the National League with the Chicago White Stockings, leading the league in batting average multiple times. Transitioned into managing, taking leadership roles with various teams, which included stints in the minor leagues. His playing career and managerial roles helped shape the strategies of the game in its formative years.
Continue ReadingBad News Brown
Canadian rapper and actor
Born
May 8th, 1977 48 years ago
Died
2011 14 years ago — 34 years old
A Canadian rapper, harmonica player, and actor. Rose to prominence in the music scene with a unique blend of hip-hop and harmonica performances. Gained recognition for collaborations with various artists and contributed to the Canadian hip-hop landscape. Transitioned into acting, appearing in notable productions that showcased versatility in performance. Helped to elevate the profile of Canadian rap through creative expression and musical innovation.
Continue ReadingJesús Arellano
Mexican footballer and national player
Born
May 8th, 1973 52 years ago
Born in 1973, a professional footballer active primarily as a winger and attacking midfielder, played for Monterrey and represented the Mexican national team. Made appearances in two FIFA World Cups, reflecting a significant international competitive career. Known for skills that contributed to successful campaigns at club level.
Continue ReadingOther People Who Died on August 21st
Georg Leber
German politician and defense minister
Born
October 7th, 1920 105 years ago
Died
August 21st, 2012 13 years ago — 91 years old
Served as a soldier during World War II before entering politics. Held the position of Federal Minister of Defence in Germany from 1966 to 1969. Contributed to military and defense policies during a time of significant geopolitical tensions. Worked on strengthening the Bundeswehr and participated in NATO discussions.
Continue ReadingHenrik Pontoppidan
Danish novelist and Nobel laureate
Born
July 24th, 1857 168 years ago
Died
August 21st, 1943 82 years ago — 86 years old
Born in 1857, this individual was a prominent Danish journalist and novelist whose works explored themes of social realism and individual struggle. His writing often depicted the complexities of Danish society and manifested a critical perspective on materialism and human relationships. The author produced significant novels including 'Lucky Per' and 'The Last of the Old-Time Farmers'. In 1917, this individual received the Nobel Prize in Literature for a deeply insightful body of work that captured the essence of the Danish experience. During a prolific career, the author contributed extensively to literary journals and became recognized as a pivotal figure in Danish literature.
Continue ReadingTatiana Troyanos
Operatic soprano and acclaimed performer
Born
September 12th, 1938 87 years ago
Died
August 21st, 1993 32 years ago — 54 years old
An operatic soprano celebrated for performances in various prestigious opera houses. Renowned for roles in operas such as 'Carmen' and 'Ariadne auf Naxos'. Trained at the Juilliard School, she debuted with the New York City Opera in the 1960s. Achievements include performing at the Metropolitan Opera and receiving accolades for her interpretations of operatic repertoire. Contributed to the world of opera with a distinct voice and captivating stage presence, earning recognition throughout her career.
Continue ReadingBenigno Aquino Jr.
Filipino politician and activist
Born
November 27th, 1932 93 years ago
Died
August 21st, 1983 42 years ago — 50 years old
A prominent figure in Philippine politics, he emerged as a leading opposition voice during the regime of Ferdinand Marcos. His political career began in the 1950s, serving as a senator and becoming known for his vocal criticism of government corruption and authoritarianism. Aquino was imprisoned for nearly four years following the declaration of martial law in 1972. After his release, he went into exile in the United States. He returned to the Philippines in 1983, where he was assassinated at the Manila International Airport, an event that galvanized the opposition against Marcos. His death triggered a series of events leading to the People Power Revolution in 1986, which ultimately ousted Marcos from power.
Continue ReadingJohn Amos
American actor, playwright, and producer
Born
December 27th, 1939 85 years ago
Died
August 21st, 2024 1 years ago — 84 years old
An accomplished actor, Amos gained recognition for roles in television series and film. Significant work includes a lead role in the sitcom 'Good Times', where he portrayed James Evans Sr. and contributed to addressing social issues of the time. Additionally, Amos featured in the film 'Coming to America' as Cleo McDowell, further establishing presence in the entertainment industry. His contributions extended beyond acting as Amos also engaged in writing and producing projects that highlighted various narratives.
Continue ReadingSubrahmanyan Chandrasekhar
Astrophysicist, Nobel Prize laureate
Born
October 19th, 1910 115 years ago
Died
August 21st, 1995 30 years ago — 84 years old
An Indian-American astrophysicist, astronomer, and mathematician, contributed significantly to the understanding of stellar evolution and black holes. In 1983, received the Nobel Prize in Physics for the theoretical studies of the physical processes important to the structure and evolution of the stars. His work on the Chandrasekhar limit explained the maximum mass of a stable white dwarf star. Authored more than 400 scientific papers and several influential books, advancing the field of astrophysics.
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