Eleanor of Aragon

Queen of Portugal

Eleanor of Aragon - Queen of Portugal
Born

February 20th, 1358
667 years ago

Died

February 19th, 1445
580 years ago — 86 years old

Category

Leaders & Politicians

Country

Portugal

Links & References

Married to King John I of Portugal, a union that strengthened the political ties between Portugal and Aragon. Played a significant role in the royal court during a transformative period for the Portuguese crown. Contributed to the cultural development of the kingdom and supported various charitable causes. Her lineage was connected to prominent European royal families.

Married King John I of Portugal

Influenced cultural development in Portugal

Supported charitable causes

Other People Born on February 20th

Tommy Henrich

Baseball player and sportscaster
Born
February 20th, 1913 112 years ago
Died
2009 16 years ago — 96 years old

Played Major League Baseball as an outfielder, primarily for the New York Yankees from 1937 to 1942 and again from 1946 to 1950. Participated in the Yankees' success during the late 1930s and through the 1940s, contributing to several pennant wins and four World Series championships. Served as a sportscaster following retirement from playing, providing commentary and analysis on baseball games.

Continue Reading

Andrew Shue

Actor and activist, founded Do Something
Born
February 20th, 1967 58 years ago

An actor and activist contributed to television and social causes. Gained recognition for playing Billy Campbell on the TV series 'Melrose Place'. Co-founded the nonprofit organization Do Something, which encourages young people to engage in social change. Active in promoting community service and volunteerism, focusing on empowering youth to take action on issues they care about.

Continue Reading

Brenda Blethyn

English Actress in 'Secrets & Lies'
Born
February 20th, 1946 79 years ago

An English actress achieved recognition for roles in film and television. Gained prominence after appearing in 'Secrets & Lies', directed by Mike Leigh, which earned the actress an Academy Award nomination. Featured in 'Vera', a popular detective series, portraying the title character. Received critical acclaim for performances in both comedic and dramatic roles, establishing a versatile career in the entertainment industry. Continued to work in various film and television projects, contributing to many productions in the UK and internationally.

Continue Reading

María de la Purísima Salvat Romero

Roman Catholic nun; canonized saint
Born
February 20th, 1926 99 years ago
Died
1998 27 years ago — 72 years old

A Roman Catholic nun founded the Congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception. Dedicated life to education and social service, establishing schools and welfare institutions. Emphasized the importance of faith and service to others. After passing away in 1996, was canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church in 2016, recognizing contributions to the community and the life of faith.

Continue Reading

Ellen Gilchrist

Novelist and short story writer
Born
February 20th, 1935 90 years ago
Died
2024 1 years ago — 89 years old

This American novelist, short story writer, and poet gained recognition through a distinct voice in Southern literature. Successful works include the short story collection 'Victory Over Japan' and the novel 'Net of Dreams', which showcase insights into Southern life and culture. Her writing often reflects a deep understanding of human emotions and relationships, marked by a vivid narrative style. Throughout her career, numerous awards and honors were received, affirming the literary merit of her work.

Continue Reading

Vincent Massey

Governor General of Canada
Born
February 20th, 1887 138 years ago
Died
December 30th, 1967 57 years ago — 80 years old

Served as the 18th Governor General of Canada from 1952 to 1959. Massey had a background in law and was a notable member of the Liberal Party. He played a key role in promoting Canadian culture and education. Prior to his appointment, he held various positions including the presidency of the University of Toronto and was influential in shaping Canadian art and literature. His term as Governor General was marked by a focus on national unity and the strengthening of Canada's international standing.

Continue Reading

Other People Who Died on February 19th

Thomas Arundel

Archbishop of Canterbury
Born
1353 672 years ago
Died
February 19th, 1414 611 years ago — 61 years old

Served as Archbishop of Canterbury during critical periods of English history. Contributed to the establishment of the Church of England and played a role in the political and ecclesiastical conflicts of the time. Focused on reforming church practices and enhancing the authority of the archbishopric. Promoted the translation of the Bible into English, aiding religious accessibility. Exiled during a power struggle and returned to find significant changes in the church and state dynamics.

Continue Reading

Dale Gardner

American astronaut and mission commander
Born
November 8th, 1948 76 years ago
Died
February 19th, 2014 11 years ago — 65 years old

An American captain and astronaut, played a crucial role in space exploration during the 1980s. Flew on two Space Shuttle missions, STS-7 in 1983 and STS-51G in 1985, participating in satellite deployment and scientific experiments. Served in the United States Air Force as a fighter pilot before joining NASA. Contributed to the development and testing of new technologies for space missions. Upon retiring from NASA, worked in various engineering and management roles in the aerospace industry.

Continue Reading

John Basilone

U.S. Marine Corps Medal of Honor recipient
Born
November 4th, 1916 108 years ago
Died
February 19th, 1945 80 years ago — 28 years old

Served as a United States Marine Corps sergeant during World War II. Participated in the Battle of Guadalcanal and the Battle of Iwo Jima. Awarded the Medal of Honor for extraordinary heroism during the Battle of Guadalcanal. His actions contributed significantly to the success of the campaign.

Continue Reading

Umberto Eco

Novelist and philosopher; The Name of the Rose
Born
January 5th, 1932 93 years ago
Died
February 19th, 2016 9 years ago — 84 years old

An Italian novelist, literary critic, and philosopher. Authored several critically acclaimed works, blending fiction, semiotics, and medieval studies. Gained significant recognition with the novel 'The Name of the Rose', which combines a murder mystery with historical and philosophical themes. Worked as a professor of semiotics at the University of Bologna, contributing to the field through various publications. Also wrote essays on culture and communication, influencing contemporary thought.

Continue Reading

Enno I

Count of East Frisia, German noble
Born
June 1st, 1460 564 years ago
Died
February 19th, 1491 534 years ago — 30 years old

Held the title of Count of East Frisia during the late 15th century. Played a crucial role in regional politics, particularly in the context of East Frisian nobility. Managed to regain control over the territory after various conflicts, establishing a notable lineage that influenced the region's governance. His reign was marked by efforts to consolidate power and maintain the interests of East Frisia amidst external pressures. Left a legacy through the succession of his descendants, who continued to play significant roles in the area's political landscape.

Continue Reading

Alice White

American actress in silent films
Born
1904 121 years ago
Died
February 19th, 1983 42 years ago — 79 years old

Active during the silent film era, this actress gained recognition for work in romantic and comedic roles. Appeared in over 70 films from the 1920s to the early 1930s, transitioning to sound films but eventually moving into supporting roles. Worked with major studios such as Warner Bros and Columbia Pictures. Continued to perform on stage and in television into the 1950s, showcasing versatility beyond the silver screen.

Continue Reading