Philippe Petit

Tightrope walker; World Trade Center feat

Philippe Petit - Tightrope walker; World Trade Center feat
Born

August 13th, 1949
75 years ago

Category

Performers & Entertainers

Country

France

Links & References

A tightrope walker gained attention for walking between the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center on August 7, 1974. This remarkable act involved a highwire strung between the two skyscrapers without any safety measures. The performance captured international media attention and has been documented in various forms, including the 2015 film 'The Walk'. Petit has also authored books detailing his experiences and philosophies about balancing and performing. Following this feat, he continued to perform across the globe, pursuing various artistic projects.

Walked a tightrope between the Twin Towers

Authored several books including 'To Reach the Clouds'

Featured in the documentary 'Man on Wire'

Inspired the film 'The Walk'

Other People Born on August 13th

Randy Shughart

Medal of Honor recipient, U.S. Army Sergeant
Born
August 13th, 1958 66 years ago
Died
October 3rd, 1993 31 years ago — 35 years old

Served as a United States Army Ranger during the Battle of Mogadishu in 1993. Provided vital support to comrades in a dangerous situation. Lost life while attempting to rescue a downed pilot. Posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for actions demonstrating extraordinary bravery and dedication to duty.

Continue Reading

Niko Kranjčar

Footballer; Played for Croatia national team
Born
August 13th, 1984 40 years ago

A Croatian footballer, excelled as a midfielder with a career spanning several clubs in Europe. Played a significant role at Portsmouth, Tottenham Hotspur, and Dynamo Kyiv. Represented the Croatia national team in multiple international tournaments, including the UEFA European Championship and the FIFA World Cup. Noted for his technical skills and ability to contribute to both defense and attack on the field, particularly during major matches.

Continue Reading

Annie Oakley

American sharpshooter and performer
Born
August 13th, 1860 164 years ago
Died
November 3rd, 1926 98 years ago — 66 years old

Born in 1860, a target shooter gained fame through sharpshooting demonstrations and performances with Buffalo Bill's Wild West show. Exhibited extraordinary marksmanship skills, captivating audiences with feats such as shooting glass balls thrown into the air. Achieved a reputation as one of the best marksmen in the world, demonstrating prowess in various shooting contests.

Continue Reading

Rohinton Fali Nariman

Judge at the Supreme Court of India
Born
August 13th, 1956 68 years ago

Served as a Judge of the Supreme Court of India from 1999 to 2014. Contributed to significant legal judgments, particularly in areas concerning constitutional law and civil rights. Held the position of Attorney General of India prior to joining the Supreme Court, providing legal representation in critical cases. Engaged in various legal reforms and discussions aimed at enhancing the justice system in India.

Continue Reading

Heinrich von Brühl

Polish-German politician and statesman
Born
August 13th, 1700 324 years ago
Died
October 28th, 1763 261 years ago — 63 years old

A prominent figure in the 18th century, held the position of Prime Minister of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Served under Augustus III of Poland and was influential in various reforms. His tenure marked significant political shifts and interactions with other European powers. Involved in diplomatic efforts to strengthen the relationship between Poland and Prussia, played a key role in the Seven Years' War, which affected the balance of power in Central Europe.

Continue Reading

Koji Kondo

Japanese composer for video games
Born
August 13th, 1961 63 years ago

A prolific composer and sound director in the video game industry. Joined Nintendo in 1984 and contributed to several iconic game franchises. Created memorable music for games such as Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda. His compositions have been integral to the gameplay experience and remain celebrated in the gaming community.

Continue Reading