Miep Gies
Humanitarian and protector of Anne Frank
Born in Austria and later moving to the Netherlands, played a significant role in hiding Jewish families during World War II. Assisted in the concealment of Anne Frank and her family in Amsterdam from 1942 to 1944. After the family was discovered, retrieved and preserved Anne Frank's diary, ensuring its publication after the war. Worked tirelessly to promote human rights and shared Anne Frank's story globally until death in 2010.
Hided Anne Frank and her family during WWII
Preserved Anne Frank's diary for publication
Other People Born on February 15th
Valeri Bojinov
Bulgarian footballer and forward
Born
February 15th, 1986 40 years ago
A Bulgarian footballer played as a forward, beginning professional career in 2002. Transitioned to the senior team of his local club, CSKA Sofia, where performance led to a move to several European clubs. Played for Fiorentina and Manchester City in top leagues. Gained recognition for contributions to the national team, earning over 40 caps and participating in major tournaments.
Continue ReadingVivek Shraya
Canadian singer and songwriter
Born
February 15th, 1981 45 years ago
A Canadian singer and songwriter, recognized for contributions to music and literature. Released multiple albums including 'Part-Time Woman' and 'Shraya's Songs'. Authored novels and collaborated with various artists across genres, exploring themes of identity and culture. Engaged in advocacy for LGBTQ+ representation in the arts and education.
Continue ReadingJames Yap
Basketball player, PBA MVP Awardee
Born
February 15th, 1982 44 years ago
Professional basketball player from the Philippines. Played in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) primarily for the Purefoods franchise. Achieved significant success during the career, including multiple championships and personal accolades. Contributed to the team's victories and celebrated moments in the sport, recognized for exceptional scoring ability and clutch performances.
Continue ReadingMark Canha
Baseball player, Oakland Athletics
Born
February 15th, 1989 37 years ago
Played Major League Baseball primarily for the Oakland Athletics. Made his MLB debut in 2015 after being drafted by the Miami Marlins in 2010. Recognized for versatility, Canha played both outfield and first base during his career. In 2020, Canha achieved a career-high on-base percentage of .387 while contributing to the team's offensive lineup.
Continue ReadingGeoffrey Kondogbia
Professional footballer, Valencia CF
Born
February 15th, 1993 33 years ago
Born in Central African Republic, a professional footballer began a career in Europe with a focus in midfield roles. Initial steps in professional football occurred at Lens, where impressive performances led to a transfer to Sevilla FC. Later joined AS Monaco and contributed to winning the Ligue 1 title in the 2016–17 season. Subsequently signed by Inter Milan, played in Serie A before transferring to Valencia CF in La Liga. Represented the national team and partook in international competitions.
Continue ReadingRoss Duffer
Film director and producer, Stranger Things
Born
February 15th, 1984 42 years ago
A film director, writer, and producer, achieved recognition for creating the television series 'Stranger Things'. The series debuted on Netflix in 2016 and quickly gained a large following, praised for its nostalgic references to 1980s pop culture. Alongside collaborative efforts with his brother, they co-created several episodes and served as showrunners, significantly influencing modern sci-fi and horror genres in television. Additionally, produced the series 'Wayward Pines' and worked on various projects within the film industry, showcasing a focus on storytelling that blends elements of horror and adventure.
Continue ReadingOther People Who Died on January 11th
Aaron Swartz
Programmer and internet activist
Born
November 8th, 1986 39 years ago
Died
January 11th, 2013 13 years ago — 26 years old
A prominent figure in the tech community, contributed to the development of the RSS web feed format and co-founded Reddit. Advocated for open access to information and legal reform for the internet. Involved in the movement against the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and worked on initiatives to make data freely available. Faced legal challenges related to the downloading of academic journal articles, which led to public discourse on internet freedoms and the ethics of information access. Died in 2013.
Continue ReadingFrancis Scott Key
Lawyer and author of The Star-Spangled Banner
Born
August 1st, 1779 246 years ago
Died
January 11th, 1843 183 years ago — 63 years old
An American lawyer and songwriter played a significant role in the War of 1812. During the bombardment of Fort McHenry in 1814, wrote a poem titled 'Defence of Fort M'Henry' which later became the national anthem, 'The Star-Spangled Banner'. Key was also involved in various legal cases and served as a district attorney in Washington D.C.
Continue ReadingEleanor of Lancaster
English noblewoman with royal connections
Born
September 11th, 1318 707 years ago
Died
January 11th, 1372 654 years ago — 53 years old
Eleanor of Lancaster was a prominent English noblewoman in the 14th century. Born into the influential Lancaster family, she was the daughter of Henry, 3rd Earl of Lancaster, and Maud Chaworth. Marrying into the royal family, she became the wife of John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, a key figure in the English court. Eleanor played a role in the complex political landscape of England during her lifetime, with connections that strengthened alliances between powerful noble families. After her husband's royal appointment, Eleanor supported his claims and interests, particularly regarding land and titles. Eleanor passed away in 1372 and was buried at the Church of St. Mary in Leicester.
Continue ReadingRoger Crozier
Ice hockey player and Hart Trophy winner
Born
March 16th, 1942 84 years ago
Died
January 11th, 1996 30 years ago — 53 years old
Crozier played as a goaltender in the National Hockey League. His professional career spanned from 1959 to 1974. He gained recognition for his performances with the Detroit Red Wings and Buffalo Sabres. Crozier achieved notable success during the 1964-65 NHL season, earning the Hart Memorial Trophy as the league's Most Valuable Player, the first goaltender to win the award since its inception. He was also awarded the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league's Rookie of the Year in 1964. Crozier represented Team Canada in international competitions, contributing to the team's efforts in various tournaments.
Continue ReadingThomas Hardy
English novelist and poet
Born
June 2nd, 1840 185 years ago
Died
January 11th, 1928 98 years ago — 87 years old
A prominent English novelist and poet, produced significant literary works in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Explored themes of social constraint, rural life, and human despondency through intricate narrative and character development. Notable works include novels such as 'Tess of the d'Urbervilles' and 'Jude the Obscure'. Poetry often reflected a melancholic outlook on life and nature, with collections such as 'Moments of Vision' showcasing lyrical prowess. Hardy's departure from Victorian traditions and incorporation of naturalism influenced subsequent literary movements.
Continue ReadingBeulah Bondi
American actress in classic films
Born
May 3rd, 1889 136 years ago
Died
January 11th, 1981 45 years ago — 91 years old
An accomplished actress, celebrated for a career that spanned over five decades in film, television, and theater. Made significant contributions to the industry beginning in the 1920s, frequently collaborating with prominent filmmakers. Recognized for roles in notable productions such as 'Make Way for Tomorrow' and 'It's a Wonderful Life', which showcased her ability to portray warm and caring maternal figures. Continued to work in various television series into the 1970s, demonstrating versatility and dedication to the craft.
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