Luigi Chinetti
Race car driver and Ferrari team manager
Born
Died
Category
Athletes & Sports Figures
Country
United States
Links & References
An Italian-American race car driver, achieved success in sports car racing during the mid-20th century. Won the 1949 24 Hours of Le Mans, driving a Ferrari 166MM. Played a significant role in popularizing Ferrari in the United States, serving as the first official Ferrari importer. Established the North American Racing Team (NART), which contributed to Ferrari's success in North America during the 1960s.
Winning the 1949 24 Hours of Le Mans
Founding North American Racing Team (NART)
Served as Ferrari's official importer in the U.S.
Other People Born on July 17th
Letsie III of Lesotho
King of Lesotho since 1996
Born
July 17th, 1963 63 years ago
Ascended to the throne in 1996 after his father's death. Served as a constitutional monarch during a period of political instability in Lesotho. Engaged in diplomatic relations and facilitated dialogue among various political factions. Focused on development issues and the enhancement of Lesotho's international standing. Participated in various regional organizations to promote collaboration and peace in Southern Africa.
Continue ReadingLucie Arnaz
American actress and singer from 'Here’s Lucy'
Born
July 17th, 1951 75 years ago
Born in 1951, Lucie Arnaz gained recognition as an actress and singer. Arnaz starred in the television series 'Here's Lucy' alongside her mother, Lucille Ball. She continued to perform in various stage productions and musicals, showcasing her talents in both acting and singing. Arnaz's work extended to directing and producing, contributing to various projects throughout her career.
Continue ReadingJames Somerville
English admiral and politician
Born
July 17th, 1882 144 years ago
Died
March 19th, 1949 77 years ago — 66 years old
An English admiral and politician served notably as Lord Lieutenant of Somerset. Played a crucial role during both World Wars, particularly in naval operations. Actively involved in military strategy and command, influencing several key engagements and outcomes. Contributed to political discussions surrounding military affairs in the post-war period.
Continue ReadingGordon Gould
Physicist and laser inventor
Born
July 17th, 1920 106 years ago
Died
September 16th, 2005 20 years ago — 85 years old
An American physicist and academic, contributed to the field of optics and photonics. Invented the laser in the 1950s and coined the term 'laser', standing for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Although the invention faced patent disputes, secured a patent in 1977 after several legal battles. Served as a professor and held various academic positions throughout his career.
Continue ReadingIsmail I of Iran
Shah of Persia and founder of Safavid dynasty
Born
July 17th, 1487 539 years ago
Died
1524 502 years ago — 37 years old
Birth occurred in 1487. Ascended to power at the age of 14, establishing the Safavid dynasty in Persia. Implemented Shia Islam as the state religion, thus shaping the religious landscape of Iran. Conquered vast territories and solidified Persian identity through cultural and religious reforms. Defeated rival forces, including the Uzbeks and Ottomans, which expanded the Safavid realm. Engaged in significant battles to secure territorial claims while fostering trade and arts.
Continue ReadingXianfeng Emperor
Emperor of China during Qing Dynasty
Born
July 17th, 1831 195 years ago
Died
1861 165 years ago — 30 years old
Ruled as the Xianfeng Emperor from 1850 to 1861 during a tumultuous period in the Qing Dynasty. His reign was marked by internal strife, including the Second Opium War against Britain and France, which resulted in significant territorial losses and the Treaty of Tientsin. Encountered challenges from various uprisings, notably the Taiping Rebellion, which posed a serious threat to the dynasty's stability. The emperor's efforts to modernize the military and government structures were limited by conservative resistance and external pressures.
Continue ReadingOther People Who Died on August 17th
Wilhelm List
German field marshal of WWII
Born
May 14th, 1880 146 years ago
Died
August 17th, 1971 54 years ago — 91 years old
Born in 1880, this individual served as a German field marshal during World War II. He held significant leadership roles on various fronts, particularly in the Balkans and North Africa. Appointed as commander of the 12th Army, he was responsible for operations in Greece and later for the North African campaign. His command strategies and military decisions were influential in shaping the offensive campaigns of the German forces.
Continue ReadingIoan Slavici
Romanian journalist and author
Born
January 18th, 1848 178 years ago
Died
August 17th, 1925 100 years ago — 77 years old
Born in Romania, a prominent journalist and author contributed significantly to Romanian literature. Played a crucial role in the development of realism in literature through notable works. His writings often focused on social issues and were deeply intertwined with Romanian cultural identity. Worked as an editor for important Romanian publications and advocated for education and the rights of the Romanian people. Several of his works remain influential in Romanian literature today.
Continue ReadingJack Harshman
Baseball player and manager, 1953 All-Star
Born
July 12th, 1927 99 years ago
Died
August 17th, 2013 12 years ago — 86 years old
An American baseball player and manager, played as a pitcher in Major League Baseball from 1951 to 1961. Selected as an All-Star in 1953 while playing for the Chicago White Sox. Also pitched for the Washington Senators, Baltimore Orioles, and San Francisco Giants. Post playing career included managing in the minor leagues and briefly in the major leagues.
Continue ReadingWilliam Jervois
Governor of South Australia
Born
September 10th, 1821 204 years ago
Died
August 17th, 1897 128 years ago — 75 years old
Born in England, served as an engineer and politician. Held the position of the 10th Governor of South Australia from 1877 to 1883. Prior to governance, contributed to military engineering in various locations, including significant work on fortifications. Oversaw the development of infrastructure and governance frameworks during tenure in South Australia.
Continue ReadingConrad Aiken
American poet and novelist
Born
August 5th, 1889 137 years ago
Died
August 17th, 1973 52 years ago — 84 years old
Born in 1889, a prominent American poet, novelist, and critic, contributed significantly to 20th-century literature. Aiken's literary career spanned multiple genres, with poetry as the primary focus. A published author from a young age, received a Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1930 for the collection 'Selected Poems.' Aiken explored themes of consciousness and emotion in works such as the novel 'Apprenticeship' and the short story collection 'Great Circle.' His influence extends to various literary movements, and he was associated with the objectivist movement. In his writing, Aiken often employed innovative techniques, blending elements of modernism and romanticism.
Continue ReadingShamsur Rahman
Bangladeshi poet and journalist, wrote 'Joiboti Kobi'
Born
October 23rd, 1929 96 years ago
Died
August 17th, 2006 19 years ago — 76 years old
A prominent poet and journalist, contributed significantly to Bengali literature. Worked as an editor for various publications and founded a poetry movement that celebrated the Bengali language and culture. His poetry often reflected the social and political landscape of Bangladesh. Writings explored themes of love, loss, and identity. Engaged actively in the literature of protest during the political turmoil in Bangladesh.
Continue Reading