Manuel de Oliveira Gomes da Costa
Portuguese General and President
Served as the 10th President of Portugal from 1926 to 1927. Started a military career that included participating in various campaigns and eventual promotion through the ranks. Played a key role in the 1926 coup d'état that led to the establishment of a military dictatorship in Portugal. Focused on stabilizing the country during a period of turmoil and political instability.
Served as 10th President of Portugal
Led the 1926 coup d'état
Other People Born on January 14th
Steven Soderbergh
Film director and producer, 'Traffic'
Born
January 14th, 1963 63 years ago
An American director, producer, and screenwriter. Gained prominence in the early 1990s with the film 'Sex, Lies, and Videotape', which won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. Achieved critical acclaim for the film 'Traffic', which won four Academy Awards, including Best Director. Directed the popular 'Oceans' series, starting with 'Ocean's Eleven' in 2001, which featured an ensemble cast and was commercially successful. Also directed 'Erin Brockovich', which garnered three Academy Awards and solidified strong collaboration with Julia Roberts. Worked on various projects across genres, showcasing versatility in filmmaking.
Continue ReadingMarko Hietala
Finnish singer-songwriter and bass player
Born
January 14th, 1966 60 years ago
A Finnish singer-songwriter, bass player, and producer played a significant role in the symphonic metal band Nightwish. Also contributed to the band Tarot, showcasing versatility across various music styles. Besides performing, engaged in music production, adding depth to numerous projects. Hietala's distinctive vocal style and skillful bass playing have defined his contributions to European metal music since the 1990s.
Continue ReadingRobbie Brady
Irish footballer, Euro 2016 standout
Born
January 14th, 1992 34 years ago
Played as a winger and left back, competing at club level in the Premier League and international tournaments. Represented teams including Manchester United, Hull City, and Burnley. Gained recognition during the UEFA Euro 2016 with a significant goal against Italy, helping the national team reach the knockout stage. Participated in other international competitions, contributing to Ireland's efforts in qualifying and competing on a European stage.
Continue ReadingNadia Maftouni
Iranian philosopher and educator
Born
January 14th, 1966 60 years ago
A philosopher and educator, contributions focused on the intersection of philosophy and aesthetics, particularly in the context of Iranian culture and philosophy. Engaged with issues related to contemporary philosophy and introduced new perspectives on traditional philosophical themes. Worked in academia, teaching and mentoring students in various philosophical subjects, emphasizing critical thinking and the importance of philosophical inquiry. Participated in numerous conferences and published extensively in philosophical journals, contributing to the discourse surrounding philosophy in Iran and beyond.
Continue ReadingLudwig Ritter von Köchel
Composer and botanist with Köchel catalog
Born
January 14th, 1800 226 years ago
Died
June 3rd, 1877 148 years ago — 77 years old
Austrian composer and botanist contributed significantly to both music and botany. Developed the Köchel catalog, a chronological index of the works of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, which became an essential reference for classical music scholars. Engaged in plant classification and published various scientific papers focused on botany. His efforts in organizing Mozart's compositions helped in preserving and studying them, profoundly influencing the understanding of the composer's oeuvre.
Continue ReadingCălin Popescu-Tăriceanu
Romanian engineer and politician, Prime Minister
Born
January 14th, 1952 74 years ago
An engineer and politician held the position of the 60th Prime Minister of Romania from 2004 to 2008. Served as the president of the Senate of Romania from 2014 to 2019. Played a significant role in Romania's entry into NATO and the European Union. Held various ministerial positions in the Romanian government during his career, influencing national policies and reforms.
Continue ReadingOther People Who Died on December 17th
James McCaffrey
American actor known for 'Life on Mars'
Born
1958 68 years ago
Died
December 17th, 2023 2 years ago — 65 years old
An American actor gained recognition for work in television and film. Best known for portraying Detective Sam Tyler in the series 'Life on Mars', which aired from 2006 to 2007. Appeared in other productions such as '24', 'The Killing', and 'The Last Ship'. McCaffrey also had a successful career in voice acting, contributing to notable video games, including the 'Max Payne' series. His performances garnered a loyal fanbase.
Continue ReadingMichael Wyschogrod
Philosopher and theologian of Judaism
Born
1928 98 years ago
Died
December 17th, 2015 10 years ago — 87 years old
A prominent philosopher and theologian focused on Jewish thought, contributions included substantial writings on Jewish philosophy, particularly regarding the relationship between Judaism and Christianity. Engaged with existential and ethical questions, emphasized the significance of personal experience in understanding faith. Held academic positions at institutions including the City University of New York and was influential in discussions regarding the nature of God and divine attributes.
Continue ReadingPeter Warlock
English composer and music critic
Born
October 30th, 1894 131 years ago
Died
December 17th, 1930 95 years ago — 36 years old
A significant figure in early 20th-century music, contributed to the English musical landscape through composition and criticism. Worked under the pseudonym Peter Warlock and was influential in the revival of interest in English music, particularly through compositions for choral and vocal music. His most notable works include the famous collection of songs titled 'The Curlew' and orchestral pieces that combined traditional forms with modern techniques. Engaged in music criticism, providing insights and commentary that shaped public perception of contemporary composers and their works.
Continue ReadingOleh Lysheha
Ukrainian poet and playwright
Born
1949 77 years ago
Died
December 17th, 2014 11 years ago — 65 years old
A prominent poet and playwright from Ukraine, contributed significantly to contemporary Ukrainian literature. Active in the literary scene during the late 20th century, produced works that reflected social issues and personal experiences. His poetry often incorporated themes of nature and patriotism. In addition to poetry, engaged in playwriting. His literary style resonated with both domestic and international audiences.
Continue ReadingBenjamin A. Gilman
American soldier and politician
Born
December 6th, 1922 103 years ago
Died
December 17th, 2016 9 years ago — 94 years old
Served as a U.S. Representative from New York from 1973 to 1998. Participated in World War II as a soldier in the Army, where significant contributions included leadership roles. Actively engaged in international relations, particularly in Latin America and Eastern Europe during the post-Cold War era. Advocated for veterans' issues and supported various community initiatives throughout the congressional tenure.
Continue ReadingFrank Pastore
Baseball player and radio host
Born
August 21st, 1957 68 years ago
Died
December 17th, 2012 13 years ago — 55 years old
Played as a pitcher in Major League Baseball from 1979 to 1986, primarily with the Cincinnati Reds. Recorded a career-high 14 wins in the 1980 season and contributed to the team's success by appearing in multiple games during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Transitioned to a career in radio after retirement, hosting a talk show on Christian radio, where discussions centered on faith, politics, and current events.
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