Marie-José Pérec

French sprinter and Olympic champion

Marie-José Pérec - French sprinter and Olympic champion
Born

May 9th, 1968
56 years ago

Category

Athletes & Sports Figures

Country

France

Links & References

A prominent figure in track and field, this athlete specialized in sprinting events, particularly the 400 meters. Achievements include winning three Olympic gold medals, awarded at the 1992 Barcelona Games and the 1996 Atlanta Games. Dominance in European Championships was also demonstrated, with multiple titles secured during competitive career. The athlete set several national and personal records, propelling France onto the global stage in athletics. It is noted that her achievements in athletics have inspired many within the sport.

Winning gold in the 400 meters at the 1992 Olympics

Winning gold in the 400 meters at the 1996 Olympics

Securing the 200 meters title at the 1995 World Championships

Other People Born on May 9th

Baldur von Schirach

German politician and Nazi leader
Born
May 9th, 1907 117 years ago
Died
1974 51 years ago — 67 years old

Born in 1907, held prominent roles in the Nazi Party, serving as the leader of the Hitler Youth from 1931 to 1940. Was a key figure in promoting Nazi ideology among German youth. After World War II, von Schirach was tried and convicted at the Nuremberg Trials for crimes against humanity, resulting in a 20-year prison sentence. His life and actions reflect the complexities of political leadership during a turbulent period in history.

Continue Reading

Frederick Weld

6th Prime Minister of New Zealand
Born
May 9th, 1823 201 years ago
Died
1891 134 years ago — 68 years old

Born in England and later moving to New Zealand, held the office of the 6th Prime Minister from 1864 to 1865. His tenure was marked by significant political developments, including issues related to land and governance in the context of European settlement in New Zealand. Served as a member of the Legislative Council and held various administrative roles, contributing to the shaping of New Zealand's early political landscape.

Continue Reading

Gustaf de Laval

Swedish engineer and inventor of cream separator
Born
May 9th, 1845 179 years ago
Died
February 2nd, 1913 112 years ago — 67 years old

A prominent Swedish engineer and inventor, the individual significantly contributed to the dairy industry through the invention of the cream separator, which revolutionized cream extraction. In addition to this invention, a well-regarded steam turbine design greatly enhanced steam engine efficiency, finding applications in various industries. Engaging in various entrepreneurial ventures, the individual established a successful engineering company that engaged in the production of machinery and equipment. Throughout the career, numerous innovations were introduced, impacting agricultural and industrial practices in Sweden and beyond.

Continue Reading

Vance D. Brand

American astronaut and engineer
Born
May 9th, 1931 93 years ago

An American pilot, engineer, and astronaut, played a significant role in NASA's Apollo and Space Shuttle programs. Participated in three spaceflights, including Apollo 15, which was the fourth crewed lunar landing mission. Completed multiple missions aboard the Space Shuttle, including STS-5, the first operational flight of the program, and STS-41B, which included the deployment of the first tracking and data relay satellite. Contributed to various aeronautical engineering projects before making significant contributions to human spaceflight.

Continue Reading

Daniel Rosenfeld

German musician with electronic music.
Born
May 9th, 1989 35 years ago

Born in Germany in 1989, a musician gained recognition for creating ambient and electronic music under the pseudonym 'C418'. Produced soundtracks for the popular video game Minecraft, contributing to its unique auditory experience. Developed other musical projects and collaborated with various artists, maintaining an influential presence in the electronic music scene.

Continue Reading

Manfred Eigen

Biophysical chemist, Nobel Prize winner
Born
May 9th, 1927 97 years ago
Died
February 6th, 2019 6 years ago — 91 years old

A prominent biophysical chemist contributed significantly to the understanding of chemical reactions and kinetics. Developed the technique of relaxation spectroscopy, which enabled the study of fast reactions. Eigen's research laid foundational work in the field of molecular biology, particularly in the understanding of enzyme kinetics. Received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1967 for work on fast processes in chemical systems. Held teaching and research positions at various prestigious institutions, influencing the field for decades.

Continue Reading