Félix Houphouët-Boigny

Ivorian president and union leader

Félix Houphouët-Boigny - Ivorian president and union leader
Born

October 18th, 1905
120 years ago

Died

December 7th, 1993
31 years ago — 88 years old

Category

Leaders & Politicians

Country

Côte d'Ivoire

Links & References

Served as the first President of Côte d'Ivoire from 1960 until 1993. Established a multi-party system in the country and used his background as a union leader to advocate for workers' rights. Played a significant role in promoting economic development and stability in Côte d'Ivoire during the post-colonial period. Focused on agricultural policies and agricultural commodity exports, which contributed to the nation's growth during his presidency. Worked on diplomatic relations to secure foreign aid for development purposes.

Founding the political party PDCI-RDA

Leading Côte d'Ivoire to independence in 1960

Serving as President for over three decades

Other People Born on October 18th

Jerry Royster

Baseball player and manager for Braves
Born
October 18th, 1952 73 years ago

A professional baseball player and manager, achieved success in Major League Baseball (MLB) during the late 1970s and 1980s. Played primarily as an infielder for the Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers, and other teams. Transitioned into coaching and management roles after retirement, contributing to the development of players and strategies in the sport.

Continue Reading

Robert Dove

American lawyer and politician
Born
October 18th, 1938 87 years ago
Died
2021 4 years ago — 83 years old

A prominent American lawyer and politician, served as a U.S. Congressman representing the state of Indiana from 1985 to 1995. Played a significant role in various legislative efforts during tenure, focusing on issues relevant to constituents. Additionally served as the Indiana State House of Representatives speaker, contributing to key policy decisions at the state level. After leaving Congress, remained active in legal practice and community service, influencing local governance through various initiatives.

Continue Reading

Flora Fraser

Scottish politician and Lady Saltoun
Born
October 18th, 1930 95 years ago
Died
September 3rd, 2024 1 years ago — 93 years old

Eldest daughter of the 14th Lord Saltoun, held the title of 21st Lady Saltoun. Active in Scottish politics, served as an advocate for the Scottish Liberal Democrats. Participated in various community and charitable initiatives. Contributed to discussions on Scottish independence and Scottish parliamentary matters, influencing local and national policies.

Continue Reading

Lotte Lenya

Singer and actress in cabaret and opera
Born
October 18th, 1898 127 years ago
Died
November 27th, 1981 43 years ago — 83 years old

Austrian singer and actress excelled in both cabaret and opera, significantly influencing musical theater. Prominent collaborations with composer Kurt Weill resulted in iconic roles in productions such as 'The Threepenny Opera' and 'Mahagonny.' Lenya's unique voice and stage charisma captivated audiences in Europe and America, fostering a legacy that bridged classical and contemporary performances. In addition to stage work, contributions to film included roles in 'The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone' and 'From Russia with Love.'

Continue Reading

Gianfranco Ravasi

Cardinal and biblical scholar
Born
October 18th, 1942 83 years ago

Born in 1942 in Italy, a prominent cardinal of the Catholic Church and a noted biblical scholar. Ordained a priest in 1966, contributed significantly to theological discourse and biblical studies. Appointed president of the Pontifical Council for Culture in 2007. Engaged in dialogue between faith and reason, emphasizing the importance of culture in religious understanding. Actively participated in the Synod of Bishops and is involved in interfaith efforts, advocating for collaboration among different religious communities.

Continue Reading

Nathan Hauritz

Cricketer, Test Player for Australia
Born
October 18th, 1981 44 years ago

Played international cricket representing Australia primarily as a spin bowler between 2004 and 2013. Participated in 17 Test matches, contributing valuable wickets and match performances. Also played for New South Wales in domestic competitions, showcasing abilities in the longer formats of the game. Played a significant role in Australia's cricketing strategies during his tenure, bringing expertise in spin bowling to the national team.

Continue Reading

Other People Who Died on December 7th

LeeRoy Yarbrough

Race car driver with NASCAR success
Born
1938 87 years ago
Died
December 7th, 1984 40 years ago — 46 years old

Achieved significant success in NASCAR during the 1960s. Won the 1969 Daytona 500, one of the premier events in American stock car racing. Secured victories in the Grand National series, finishing second in the championship standings in 1968. Competed for several teams including Junior Johnson & Associates and recorded multiple wins in various NASCAR events. Yarbrough's racing career was marked by numerous achievements before he retired from racing in the 1970s.

Continue Reading

Chuck Yeager

US Air Force General and test pilot
Born
February 13th, 1923 102 years ago
Died
December 7th, 2020 4 years ago — 97 years old

A pioneering test pilot and U.S. Air Force general, achieved a significant milestone in aviation history by breaking the sound barrier in 1947. Yeager's flight aboard the Bell X-1, named Glamorous Glennis, marked the first time a human surpassed the speed of sound. Following this groundbreaking achievement, Yeager continued to contribute to the field of aviation through numerous test flights and military service during World War II and the Vietnam War. Later, he served as a key figure in aerospace research, sharing expertise with various aircraft programs.

Continue Reading

Haystacks Calhoun

Professional wrestler and actor
Born
August 3rd, 1934 91 years ago
Died
December 7th, 1989 35 years ago — 55 years old

A prominent figure in professional wrestling, Calhoun gained fame in the mid-20th century with a unique persona characterized by his large size and impressive strength. Debuting in the 1950s, his wrestling style and charisma drew significant crowds. He participated in numerous wrestling promotions, including the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) and was known for competing against notable wrestlers of the era. In addition to wrestling, Calhoun appeared in films and television shows, showcasing his personality beyond the ring. His contributions to both sports entertainment and acting made him a recognizable figure during his career.

Continue Reading

Algernon Sidney

British philosopher and politician
Born
January 15th, 1623 402 years ago
Died
December 7th, 1683 341 years ago — 60 years old

Born in 1623, a British philosopher and politician who played a significant role in the political landscape of the 17th century. Sidney was an advocate for republicanism and individual liberties. His writings on government and society, particularly 'Discourses Concerning Government,' articulated the principles of popular sovereignty and justified resistance to tyranny. Sidney's ideas influenced political thought during the Enlightenment and the development of republican ideology in England. He was executed for his alleged conspiracy against King Charles II, becoming a martyr for the republican cause.

Continue Reading

Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin

Astronomer noted for stellar atmospheres
Born
May 10th, 1900 125 years ago
Died
December 7th, 1979 45 years ago — 79 years old

An English-American astronomer and astrophysicist, played a pivotal role in advancing the understanding of stellar atmospheres. Discovered that the sun is composed mainly of hydrogen and helium, fundamentally altering the field of astrophysics. Published a groundbreaking thesis that laid the foundation for modern astrophysics. Contributed to the understanding of variable stars and the structure of the Milky Way galaxy. Served as a professor at Harvard University, leading the department of astronomy.

Continue Reading

Ioannis Demestichas

Greek admiral and politician
Born
1882 143 years ago
Died
December 7th, 1960 64 years ago — 78 years old

An admiral in the Hellenic Navy, played a significant role during the Balkan Wars and the Greco-Turkish War. Held key positions in the Navy and participated in various military operations. Transitioned into politics after retiring from military service, contributing to naval policies and military strategy.

Continue Reading