Roberto Clemente
Baseball player and humanitarian
Born
Died
Category
Athletes & Sports Figures
Country
United States
Links & References
A prominent baseball player in Major League Baseball, primarily with the Pittsburgh Pirates, achieved notable success during his career. Played 18 seasons and was a 15-time All-Star. Won four batting titles and earned two World Series championships in 1960 and 1971. Active in humanitarian efforts, especially focused on assisting those in need in Latin America. Tragically lost in a plane crash while delivering aid to Nicaragua in 1972.
2 World Series championships with Pittsburgh Pirates
15-time All-Star selection
Achieved 3,000 hits in MLB
Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously
Other People Born on August 18th
Didier Auriol
Race car driver and WRC champion
Born
August 18th, 1958 67 years ago
Auriol achieved significant success in rally racing. Competed primarily in the World Rally Championship (WRC) throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Secured the WRC Drivers' Championship title in 1994 while driving for Toyota. Established a reputation for skillful driving and strategic navigation across challenging terrains. Auriol's career includes numerous stage wins and contributions to the development of rally car technology.
Continue ReadingWilliam Halford
Lieutenant, Medal of Honor recipient
Born
August 18th, 1841 184 years ago
Died
February 7th, 1919 107 years ago — 77 years old
Served as a lieutenant in the United States Army during the Philippine-American War. Demonstrated bravery in combat at the Battle of San Mateo, which led to the awarding of the Medal of Honor for exceptional valor. After military service, continued to participate in various veterans' organizations, fostering camaraderie and support among former service members.
Continue ReadingCisco Houston
American folk singer-songwriter
Born
August 18th, 1918 107 years ago
Died
1961 65 years ago — 43 years old
A prominent figure in the American folk music revival, contributed to the genre through performances and recordings. Collaborated with notable artists, including Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger, and played a significant role in the tradition of folk music during the 1940s and 1950s. Recorded for Folkways Records and released several albums that celebrated labor songs and regional folk traditions. Known for a rich vocal style and fingerstyle guitar playing, influencing subsequent generations of folk musicians.
Continue ReadingHerman Berlinski
Pianist, composer, conductor of symphonies
Born
August 18th, 1910 115 years ago
Died
2001 25 years ago — 91 years old
Born in Poland, a pianist, composer, and conductor, actively contributed to classical music in the United States. Studied in Paris under notable teachers and later moved to the U.S., where a significant part of the career unfolded. Achieved recognition for original compositions and orchestral works, as well as arranging pieces for various ensembles. Conducted several orchestras, promoting the performance of contemporary and traditional repertoire. Also served as an educator, teaching music at various institutions, and held a passion for nurturing future musicians.
Continue ReadingCountess Charlotte Flandrina of Nassau
Noblewoman and ruler in the Netherlands
Born
August 18th, 1579 446 years ago
Died
April 16th, 1640 385 years ago — 60 years old
Countess Flandrina was a notable noblewoman in the 17th century, associated with the House of Nassau. She lived in the region that is now the Netherlands and held significant influence during her lifetime. Her lineage played a crucial role in the governance of various territories and contributed to the political landscape of the period. The countess was part of a family that had a long-standing impact on European nobility and politics, intertwining with other powerful houses through marriage and alliances. Her death in 1640 marked the end of her direct influence, but the legacy of her family continued in the region.
Continue ReadingJean Bolland
Flemish priest and hagiographer
Born
August 18th, 1596 429 years ago
Died
September 12th, 1665 360 years ago — 69 years old
A priest in the Society of Jesus, contributed significantly to the study of saints' lives. Established a systematic chronological collection of hagiographies, known as the 'Acta Sanctorum', which served as a reference for future studies on saints. Focused on the critical examination of sources, promoting a scholarly approach to hagiography. Worked extensively in Belgium and had lasting influence in the field of religious literature.
Continue ReadingOther People Who Died on December 31st
Dudley North
Economist and politician in England
Born
May 16th, 1641 384 years ago
Died
December 31st, 1691 334 years ago — 50 years old
Born in 1641, this individual contributed to economic thought and practice during the late 17th century. Associated with the mercantilist school of economics, he argued against government regulation of the economy. He served in Parliament and held various positions, including the post of Commissioner of Customs. His significant work, 'Discourses upon Trade', addressed trade policies, economic theory, and the effects of taxation, showcasing his understanding of commerce and economics during a time of change in England.
Continue ReadingRaoul Walsh
Actor and director of 'High Sierra'
Born
March 11th, 1887 138 years ago
Died
December 31st, 1980 45 years ago — 93 years old
An American actor and director with a prolific career in the film industry. Started as an actor in silent films before transitioning to directing. Directed over 100 films throughout a career that spanned five decades. Created notable works in various genres, including westerns and film noir. 'High Sierra' served as a significant film that contributed to the rise of the film noir genre, featuring a young Humphrey Bogart. The career included collaborations with major studios and involvement in the development of early Hollywood.
Continue ReadingVasily Lazarev
Russian astronaut and physician
Born
February 23rd, 1928 97 years ago
Died
December 31st, 1990 35 years ago — 62 years old
Served as a colonel in the Soviet Air Force and contributed to the Soviet space program as a physician and cosmonaut. Participated in the Soyuz 14 mission in 1974, which involved a successful docking with the Salyut 7 space station. Conducted scientific research during the mission that contributed to the understanding of long-duration spaceflight effects on the human body.
Continue ReadingRichard Montgomery
Irish-American Revolutionary War general
Born
December 2nd, 1738 287 years ago
Died
December 31st, 1775 250 years ago — 37 years old
Born in 1738, played a pivotal role in the early stages of the American Revolutionary War. Commanded the Continental Army forces during the invasion of Canada in 1775. Led troops in the Siege of Montreal and was instrumental in the early military efforts against British forces. Montgomery died during the Battle of Quebec in December 1775, where he was fatally wounded, becoming a martyr for the American cause. His contributions to military strategies and leadership were recognized posthumously.
Continue ReadingDonald E. Westlake
Author and screenwriter of crime novels
Born
July 12th, 1933 92 years ago
Died
December 31st, 2008 17 years ago — 75 years old
An American author and screenwriter contributed significantly to the literary world through over 100 published works. Primarily recognized for writing crime and mystery novels, influenced the genre with clever plots and sharp wit. His most notable work includes the Parker series, featuring the character Parker, a professional thief. Westlake also achieved acclaim in screenwriting, particularly for writing the screenplay for the film adaptation of Richard Stark's novel. He received the Edgar Award multiple times, solidifying his reputation in crime fiction. His writing style combined humor and suspense, appealing to a broad audience.
Continue ReadingJanusz Radziwiłł
Polish-Lithuanian politician and voivode
Born
1612 414 years ago
Died
December 31st, 1655 370 years ago — 43 years old
A prominent figure in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, served as the voivode of Vilnius. Held significant political influence during the mid-17th century. Participated actively in the political landscape, often engaging in diplomacy and governance. Contributed to the administrative affairs of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, shaping its policies and relationships within the Commonwealth. His actions reflected the complexities of the era’s political dynamics.
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