Ramon Magsaysay
Filipino politician and President
Served as the 7th President of the Philippines from 1953 until his death in 1957. Held a reputation for promoting social justice and integrity in government. Focused on improving the lives of the Filipino people through land reform and infrastructure development. Championed the cause of the common man and established programs aimed at alleviating poverty and fostering education.
Elected as the 7th President of the Philippines
Implemented land reform programs
Promoted social justice initiatives
Other People Born on August 31st
Ondřej Pavelec
Czech ice hockey goaltender, NHL player
Born
August 31st, 1987 38 years ago
Career in professional ice hockey spanned over a decade, primarily as a goaltender. Played for the Atlanta Thrashers and Winnipeg Jets in the National Hockey League (NHL). Participated in the IIHF World Championships with the Czech national team, contributing to a bronze medal finish in 2006. Recognition included being selected in the second round of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.
Continue ReadingMatti Breschel
Danish professional road cyclist
Born
August 31st, 1984 41 years ago
Born in 1984, this cyclist specialized in road racing and represented Denmark in international competitions. Notable career highlights include participation in prestigious events such as the Tour de France and the UCI Road World Championships. Following a successful professional career that began in the early 2000s, this athlete competed for teams like CSC and Saxo Bank, earning recognition for significant performances in various races. Following retirement, continued contributions to the cycling community as a mentor and coach were noted.
Continue ReadingIan Crocker
Olympic swimmer and world record holder
Born
August 31st, 1982 43 years ago
Significant achievements in competitive swimming included winning multiple medals at the Olympics and World Championships. Competed primarily in butterfly and freestyle events. Set several world records during the career, showcasing exceptional skill in the 100m butterfly. Played a key role in the relay team events, winning gold medals and contributing to team success.
Continue ReadingChris Duhon
Professional basketball player
Born
August 31st, 1982 43 years ago
Played college basketball at Duke University, contributing to the team's success and winning the NCAA Championship in 2001. Entered the NBA and was selected by the Chicago Bulls in the 2004 NBA Draft. Played for several teams during his career, including the New Orleans Hornets, Orlando Magic, and Los Angeles Lakers. Known for skills as a point guard, Duhon made significant contributions on the court, particularly in playmaking and defensive strategies.
Continue ReadingCharl Schwartzel
Professional golfer with Masters title
Born
August 31st, 1984 41 years ago
Achieved notable success in professional golf. Won the 2011 Masters Tournament, securing his place among the elite golfers in the sport. Represented South Africa in various international competitions, contributing to the growth of golf in the country. Accumulated multiple victories on the European Tour, demonstrating consistent performance throughout his career. Participated in team competitions, including the Presidents Cup.
Continue ReadingTadeja Majerič
Tennis player with WTA singles titles
Born
August 31st, 1990 35 years ago
A professional tennis player, originated from Slovenia, excelled in both singles and doubles competitions. Achieved a career-high WTA singles ranking of No. 130. Contributed significantly to the Slovenia Fed Cup team, helping secure multiple victories. Competed on the WTA Tour and ITF Circuit, winning titles that showcased talent and determination on the court. Active in international competitions, representing Slovenia in various tournaments over the years.
Continue ReadingOther People Who Died on March 17th
John Backus
Computer Scientist, Designed Fortran
Born
1924 102 years ago
Died
March 17th, 2007 19 years ago — 83 years old
A mathematician and computer scientist contributed significantly to computer programming. Developed Fortran, the first high-level programming language, which was widely adopted for scientific and engineering applications. Led a team at IBM that created the language, revolutionizing how developers wrote code. Worked on various other projects including functional programming concepts, impacting the evolution of programming languages.
Continue ReadingPaul Dean
Canadian guitarist of Trooper band
Born
February 19th, 1946 80 years ago
Died
March 17th, 1981 45 years ago — 35 years old
Born in 1946, a guitarist played in the Canadian rock band Trooper. The band achieved significant success during the 1970s and 1980s, known for a distinct blend of rock and pop. The album 'Hot Shots' produced hits that contributed to the band's popularity across Canada. Trooper became a staple in Canadian music, recognized for their energetic performances and catchy songs. During his career, collaborated with various artists and contributed to numerous recordings.
Continue ReadingAleksandra Ekster
Painter and set designer of Ballets Russes
Born
1882 144 years ago
Died
March 17th, 1949 77 years ago — 67 years old
Born in 1882, a Russian-French painter and set designer contributed significantly to the art and theatrical world. After studying at various art institutions, gained recognition in the 1910s for innovative designs and vivid color palettes. Worked extensively with the Ballets Russes, creating sets and costumes that fused modernism with theatrical elements. Emigrated to France and became part of the Parisian art scene, collaborating with leading artists and designers. Continued to produce work throughout her life until passing in 1949.
Continue ReadingShenouda III
Pope of Alexandria
Born
1923 103 years ago
Died
March 17th, 2012 14 years ago — 89 years old
Served as the 117th Pope of Alexandria from 1971 until 2012. Managed the Coptic Orthodox Church during a time of significant social and political change in Egypt. Focused on religious education, moral teachings, and intercultural dialogue. Advocated for the rights of the Coptic community and addressed issues related to Christian-Muslim relations. Contributed to numerous religious publications and established the Coptic Museum in Cairo.
Continue ReadingNada Dimić
People's Hero of Yugoslavia
Born
1923 103 years ago
Died
March 17th, 1942 84 years ago — 19 years old
Recognized as a People's Hero of Yugoslavia, contributed to resistance movements during World War II. Dimić became a symbol of bravery and resistance against the Axis powers. Captured and killed by occupational forces, Dimić's legacy continued as a martyr for the Serbs during the conflict. Her actions during tumultuous times exemplified commitment to her ideals.
Continue ReadingMai Zetterling
Actress and director of 'The Girls' (1968)
Born
May 24th, 1925 100 years ago
Died
March 17th, 1994 32 years ago — 68 years old
This actress and director was prominent in Swedish and English cinema. She gained recognition for her performances in a range of films and television series from the 1940s through the 1980s. Significant works include the film 'The Girls' released in 1968, which she directed, showcasing her dual talent as both an actress and a filmmaker. Throughout her career, she collaborated with notable directors and contributed to the artistic landscape of cinema in both Sweden and the UK. Zetterling appeared in several films, establishing a legacy within the film industry before her passing in 1994.
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