John Robertson
Politician, 5th Premier of New South Wales
Born
Died
Category
Leaders & Politicians
Country
Australia
Links & References
Served as the 5th Premier of New South Wales, holding office from 1860 to 1861 and again from 1868 to 1870. Known for leading the colony during a time of economic growth. Contributed to the establishment of democratic reforms in the region. Engaged in significant education and land reforms that affected the populace.
Served as Premier of New South Wales
Introduced land and education reforms
Other People Born on October 15th
Wolfgang Lüth
German naval commander during WWII
Born
October 15th, 1913 112 years ago
Died
May 14th, 1945 80 years ago — 31 years old
Served in the Kriegsmarine during World War II. Achieved the rank of Korvettenkapitän and commanded several U-boats. Participated in the Battle of the Atlantic, conducting multiple successful patrols against Allied shipping. Recognized for leadership and tactical skills in submarine warfare.
Continue ReadingCarol II of Romania
King of Romania and regent.
Born
October 15th, 1893 132 years ago
Died
April 4th, 1953 72 years ago — 59 years old
Reigned as King of Romania from 1930 until abdication in 1940 and returned briefly in 1944. Initiated the royal dictatorship in Romania, centralizing power and dismissing democratic institutions. Priorities included modernizing the military and establishing social welfare programs. Faced significant opposition from political parties and the rise of fascism in Romania. Abdicated in favor of his son, becoming a controversial figure in Romanian history. Lived in exile after his abdication, returning briefly to Romania after World War II before dying in exile.
Continue ReadingCharley O'Leary
Baseball player and coach
Born
October 15th, 1882 143 years ago
Died
January 6th, 1941 85 years ago — 58 years old
Played professional baseball as a shortstop in Major League Baseball from 1908 to 1919. Was a member of the St. Louis Cardinals, Detroit Tigers, and Philadelphia Athletics. After retiring as a player, transitioned to coaching and managed various teams in the minor leagues. His career in baseball lasted over a decade, contributing to several teams in significant roles.
Continue ReadingJames E. Akins
American diplomat and ambassador
Born
October 15th, 1926 99 years ago
Died
July 15th, 2010 15 years ago — 83 years old
Akins served as a soldier in the United States Army and later became a diplomat. Appointed as the United States Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, played a pivotal role in U.S.-Saudi relations during a significant period in the Middle East. His diplomatic efforts included navigating complex political landscapes and fostering connections between the two nations. After retiring from diplomatic service, continued to contribute to discussions on Middle Eastern affairs and served in various capacities related to international relations.
Continue ReadingJohannes Sikkar
Estonian soldier and Prime Minister in exile
Born
October 15th, 1897 128 years ago
Died
August 22nd, 1960 65 years ago — 62 years old
A soldier and politician from Estonia, served as the Prime Minister of Estonia in exile during World War II. Participated in military activities against occupying forces and worked to represent Estonian interests abroad. Advocated for the Estonian independence movement and collaborated with other expatriate leaders to gain international support for Estonia's sovereignty. Contributed to the organization of the Estonian government in exile and engaged in diplomatic efforts to highlight Estonia's plight during the war.
Continue ReadingMickey Baker
Guitarist and co-founder of The Shirelles
Born
October 15th, 1925 100 years ago
Died
November 27th, 2012 13 years ago — 87 years old
A guitarist, contributed significantly to the development of rock and roll and rhythm and blues music. Co-founded the duo Mickey & Sylvia, which achieved success with the hit song 'Love Is Strange'. Played with various artists, enhancing their sound and leaving a lasting influence on the music industry. Immigrated to France later in life, where continued to perform and record, bridging American styles with European music scenes.
Continue ReadingOther People Who Died on May 8th
Wilhelm Rediess
SS officer during World War II
Born
1900 126 years ago
Died
May 8th, 1945 80 years ago — 45 years old
Served as an SS officer during World War II, Rediess held a significant position within the Nazi regime. His responsibilities included overseeing various operations related to the enforcement of Nazi policies. With the collapse of Nazi Germany, he was involved in military activities until Germany's surrender in May 1945. Following the war's end, Rediess faced the consequences of his actions as the Allied forces took control of Germany.
Continue ReadingNikolai Reek
Estonian general and Minister of War
Born
February 1st, 1890 136 years ago
Died
May 8th, 1942 83 years ago — 52 years old
Born in 1890, a significant figure in the Estonian military and political landscape. Served as the 11th Minister of War, overseeing military reforms and strategies during a pivotal time in Estonia's history. Faced challenges related to national security and the establishment of armed forces post-independence. Contributed to the development of defense policies aimed at maintaining Estonia's sovereignty. Advocated for military preparedness in response to regional tensions.
Continue ReadingDuan Zong
Chinese emperor during the Song dynasty
Born
1269 757 years ago
Died
May 8th, 1278 747 years ago — 9 years old
Duan Zong served as a ruler during a tumultuous period in the Southern Song dynasty. Ascending the throne in 1276, his reign was marked by continued conflict with the Mongol Empire, which sought to conquer China. The Mongol invasions led to significant challenges for the Song, including territorial losses. His reign ended in 1278 amidst the fall of the Song dynasty, with the Mongols ultimately unifying China under their rule. The emperor's efforts to maintain sovereignty faced insurmountable difficulties, and his rule concluded with the collapse of the dynasty.
Continue ReadingBarbara Radziwiłł
Queen of Poland during the 16th century
Born
December 6th, 1520 505 years ago
Died
May 8th, 1551 474 years ago — 30 years old
Born into the influential Radziwiłł family, served as Queen consort of Poland from 1530 until her death in 1551. Married to King Zygmunt II August, her reign was marked by political alliances. Active in court life, she played a significant role in the patronage of the arts and culture, contributing to the Renaissance flourishing in Poland. Barbara's sudden death led to a profound effect on the king, leading to policies favoring her family. Her legacy lives on through the historical narratives and historical accounts of the era.
Continue ReadingGiovanni Antonio Scopoli
Italian physician and botanist
Born
June 3rd, 1723 302 years ago
Died
May 8th, 1788 237 years ago — 64 years old
Contributions included studies in natural history, particularly in botany and geology. Published 'Historia Naturalis' in 1777, detailing observations of various plant species and their classifications. Served as a physician in multiple regions and contributed to the field of medicine with his knowledge of local flora. Conducted extensive research in mineralogy and published 'Silvia Carniolica' in 1760, a foundational work on the flora of the Carniola region, enhancing understanding of European biodiversity.
Continue ReadingRoger L. Easton
American scientist, co-inventor of GPS
Born
April 30th, 1921 104 years ago
Died
May 8th, 2014 11 years ago — 93 years old
A scientist co-invented the Global Positioning System (GPS), significantly advancing navigational technology. This system allows users to determine their precise location anywhere on Earth using satellite signals. Easton worked with a team at the Naval Research Laboratory during the 1960s, leading to the initial deployment of GPS technology. The system has since evolved and is widely used in military, commercial, and personal navigation.
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