Pope Innocent IX
Pope and Head of the Catholic Church
Elected as Pope in 1591, held office for a brief period before death. Focused on addressing challenges within the Church and maintaining Catholic doctrine during a time of reformations and political complexities in Europe. Worked to consolidate the papacy's influence and strengthen Church governance.
Served as Pope for a short tenure of 11 weeks
Facilitated discussions on Catholic reform
Oversaw the continuation of the Counter-Reformation efforts
Other People Born on July 20th
Johan Björnsson Printz
Governor of New Sweden
Born
July 20th, 1592 433 years ago
Died
1663 362 years ago — 71 years old
Governed the Swedish colony of New Sweden from 1643 to 1653. Played a key role in the expansion and administration of the colony, focusing on agriculture and trade. Oversaw the construction of Fort Christina, present-day Wilmington, Delaware. Promoted diplomatic relations with Native American tribes in the region. Additionally, implemented systems for land distribution and governance within the colony.
Continue ReadingErsilio Tonini
Italian cardinal and church leader
Born
July 20th, 1914 111 years ago
Died
July 28th, 2013 12 years ago — 99 years old
Ersilio Tonini served as a cardinal in the Roman Catholic Church and held various ecclesiastical positions throughout his career. He was ordained as a priest in 1939 and became the bishop of Faenza in 1975. In 1985, he was elevated to the cardinalate by Pope John Paul II. Tonini actively participated in the Second Vatican Council and contributed to the church's modernization efforts. His pastoral work focused on youth, education, and social issues within the church's mission. He retired in 1997 and continued to be involved in church activities until his death in 2018.
Continue ReadingTadeusz Reichstein
Nobel Prize chemist for steroid research
Born
July 20th, 1897 128 years ago
Died
August 1st, 1996 29 years ago — 99 years old
Born in Poland, later became a Swiss citizen. Conducted significant research in chemistry, particularly steroid hormones. Received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1950 for contributions to steroid chemistry. Served as a professor at the University of Zurich, influencing future generations of chemists through academic leadership and research. Contributed to improving the understanding of hormonal functions in the human body.
Continue ReadingRichard Owen
Biologist and paleontologist, Dinosaur taxonomy
Born
July 20th, 1804 221 years ago
Died
December 18th, 1892 133 years ago — 88 years old
A prominent English biologist and paleontologist, focused extensively on the study of fossilized remains. Played a pivotal role in establishing the field of vertebrate paleontology. Credited with coining the term 'Dinosauria' to categorize large extinct reptiles. Contributed significantly to the understanding of numerous prehistoric species through meticulous anatomical studies and fossil reconstructions. Served as the first director of the Natural History Museum in London, where numerous discoveries were made under his leadership.
Continue ReadingCharilaos Florakis
Greek politician and party leader
Born
July 20th, 1914 111 years ago
Died
May 22nd, 2005 20 years ago — 90 years old
A significant figure in Greek politics, contributed to the leftist movement and served as the General Secretary of the Greek Communist Party. Played a crucial role in the post-junta political landscape, leading efforts to reshape the party's policies and direction. Involved in key political discussions and movements throughout a turbulent period in Greece's history, striving for social justice and reform within the political framework.
Continue ReadingTheo Heemskerk
Dutch lawyer and Prime Minister
Born
July 20th, 1852 173 years ago
Died
June 12th, 1932 93 years ago — 79 years old
Born in 1852, a lawyer and politician served as Prime Minister of the Netherlands from 1901 to 1905. During his tenure, significant attention was given to social and political reforms. Heemskerk was also involved in various legal and administrative roles, contributing to the development of the Dutch legal system. His leadership during a critical period shaped the direction of Dutch governance and societal policies, focusing on issues relevant to the era.
Continue ReadingOther People Who Died on December 30th
Johnny Orr
Basketball coach, Iowa State Cyclones
Born
June 10th, 1927 98 years ago
Died
December 30th, 2013 11 years ago — 86 years old
Began coaching career in the 1950s at Michigan, leading the Wolverines to multiple NCAA tournament appearances. Transitioned to Iowa State, resurrecting the program and achieving significant success in the 1980s. Under tenure, the team reached notable postseason tournaments, including the NCAA tournament. Renowned for developing talent and his coaching philosophy, contributing to the future success of numerous players.
Continue ReadingPope Felix I
Pope and early Christian leader
Died
December 30th, 274 1750 years ago — None years old
Served as the Bishop of Rome during the early years of the Christian church. His papacy took place in the 3rd century, a time marked by significant challenges for Christians including persecution. Established a Sunday celebration of the Eucharist and is traditionally credited with authorizing the use of the tombs of martyrs for Christian burial. Contributed to the development of early Christian doctrine and maintained the church's structure during a tumultuous period.
Continue ReadingVincent Massey
Governor General of Canada
Born
February 20th, 1887 138 years ago
Died
December 30th, 1967 57 years ago — 80 years old
Served as the 18th Governor General of Canada from 1952 to 1959. Massey had a background in law and was a notable member of the Liberal Party. He played a key role in promoting Canadian culture and education. Prior to his appointment, he held various positions including the presidency of the University of Toronto and was influential in shaping Canadian art and literature. His term as Governor General was marked by a focus on national unity and the strengthening of Canada's international standing.
Continue ReadingLuise Rainer
German-English actress with Academy Awards
Born
January 12th, 1910 115 years ago
Died
December 30th, 2014 10 years ago — 104 years old
Born in Germany, a celebrated actress gained prominence in the 1930s. Rainer starred in films such as 'The Great Ziegfeld' and 'The Good Earth'. Her performances earned her critical acclaim and two consecutive Academy Awards for Best Actress, making her the first to achieve this feat. After a successful early career in Hollywood, she relocated to Europe, where she continued to act in various productions. Rainer's contributions to cinema during her peak years solidified her legacy in film history.
Continue ReadingRona Jaffe
American novelist with The Best of Everything
Born
June 12th, 1931 94 years ago
Died
December 30th, 2005 19 years ago — 74 years old
An American novelist achieved recognition through numerous literary works throughout the 20th century. 'The Best of Everything', published in 1958, explored the lives of young women in the workforce and became a cultural touchstone. Jaffe published several novels, many of which were adapted into films and television series. In addition to her novels, Jaffe wrote for magazines and worked as a screenwriter. The themes in her works often featured strong female characters and societal issues relevant to women. She continued to write well into her later years, contributing to the genre of women's fiction.
Continue ReadingMichel Plasse
Canadian ice hockey goaltender
Born
June 1st, 1948 77 years ago
Died
December 30th, 2006 18 years ago — 58 years old
An ice hockey goaltender played in the National Hockey League (NHL) primarily for the St. Louis Blues during the 1970s. His professional career began in the late 1960s, and he played a significant role in the league during his tenure. Plasse participated in over 100 NHL games, showcasing his skills in the net and contributing to his team's efforts. He also played in various minor leagues, where he continued to develop his abilities and gained further experience in the sport, leading to his selection for the NHL.
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