Rocco Petrone
Colonel and engineer of Apollo program
Served as a colonel in the United States Air Force and became a prominent engineer in the space program. Played a critical role in the Apollo missions, particularly as the Director of Launch Operations at Kennedy Space Center. Oversaw the successful Apollo 11 mission, which resulted in the first human landing on the Moon. Contributed to advancements in aerospace technology and launch procedures during a pivotal era of space exploration.
Directed launch operations for Apollo 11
Managed Apollo program at Kennedy Space Center
Other People Born on March 31st
Japhet Tanganga
English footballer, Tottenham Hotspur defender
Born
March 31st, 1999 26 years ago
Born in 1999, this English footballer played as a defender for Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League. Developed through the Tottenham youth academy, made first-team debut in 2019 and quickly established a reputation for strong defensive skills and versatility on the field. Participated in matches across domestic leagues and European competitions, contributing to the team's competitive efforts.
Continue ReadingEdon Zhegrova
Professional footballer with Lille OSC
Born
March 31st, 1999 26 years ago
Born in Germany, a professional footballer played as a winger. Began career at VfL Bochum before moving to the Swiss club Basel, where made significant contributions in domestic competitions. Transferred to Lille OSC in France, participating in Ligue 1 and European competitions. Represented Kosovo at the international level, earning caps and contributing to the national team's efforts in qualifiers.
Continue ReadingHumpy Koneru
Chess player and World Rapid Champion
Born
March 31st, 1987 38 years ago
Achieved the title of Grandmaster at the age of 15, becoming the youngest female player to do so at the time. Won the Women's World Chess Championship in 2018. Claimed the title of World Rapid Chess Champion in 2019. Competed in various international tournaments and contributed to the popularity of chess in India.
Continue ReadingSteve Bernier
Ice hockey player, Stanley Cup champion
Born
March 31st, 1985 40 years ago
Played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for several teams including the San Jose Sharks, Florida Panthers, and New Jersey Devils. Contributed to winning the Stanley Cup with the Los Angeles Kings in 2012. Notable for his strong physical play and scoring ability throughout his career.
Continue ReadingBallou Tabla
Professional soccer player, Montreal Impact
Born
March 31st, 1999 26 years ago
Professional soccer player began career in youth systems before joining the Montreal Impact in Major League Soccer. Made first-team debut in 2016 and contributed to the squad with notable performances throughout several seasons. Transferred to European clubs, continuing to develop skills and compete at a high level in international leagues.
Continue ReadingAdam Chrzanowski
Polish professional footballer, defender
Born
March 31st, 1999 26 years ago
Professional footballer played primarily as a defender. Developed through youth ranks and began a career in senior football in Poland. Played for various clubs in the Polish leagues, showcasing skills in defensive roles. Competed in numerous domestic matches and contributed to team efforts during championships.
Continue ReadingOther People Who Died on August 24th
Gasparo Contarini
Italian cardinal and diplomat
Born
October 16th, 1483 542 years ago
Died
August 24th, 1542 483 years ago — 58 years old
Born in 1483, served as a prominent cardinal and diplomat in the Catholic Church. Played a key role in the political and religious discussions of the time, engaging in important dialogues aimed at reforming the Church and fostering unity among Christians. Participated in diplomatic missions to various European courts and was a significant figure in the early stages of the Protestant Reformation. Authored influential works exploring theology and church reform, contributing to the intellectual discourse of the period.
Continue ReadingMuriel Siebert
Businesswoman and philanthropist
Born
September 12th, 1928 97 years ago
Died
August 24th, 2013 12 years ago — 84 years old
Established the first female-owned brokerage firm in New York named Muriel F. 'Mickie' Siebert, Inc. Played a significant role in advancing women in finance and politics. Served as the first female Superintendent of Banks for the State of New York from 1977 to 1982. Engaged in numerous philanthropic efforts aimed at educational and economic opportunities for women.
Continue ReadingLuigi Villoresi
Race car driver and Mille Miglia participant
Born
May 16th, 1909 116 years ago
Died
August 24th, 1997 28 years ago — 88 years old
Born in Italy, a significant figure in early motorsport history, began racing in the 1930s. Competed in several Mille Miglia events, showcasing exceptional skill and speed in sports cars. Participated in Formula One during its inaugural seasons after World War II, driving for Maserati and Ferrari. Continued to make appearances in various racing events until retiring from professional racing in the 1950s.
Continue ReadingChristoph Daum
Football manager and player
Born
October 24th, 1953 72 years ago
Died
August 24th, 2024 1 years ago — 70 years old
Started a professional playing career with 1. FC Köln and later played for other clubs, including VfB Stuttgart. Transitioned to management, leading several teams including VfB Stuttgart and Bayer 04 Leverkusen. Achieved success in the Bundesliga and was recognized for tactical acumen. Also managed the Turkish national team.
Continue ReadingNicolas Léonard Sadi Carnot
Physicist known for heat engines
Born
June 1st, 1796 229 years ago
Died
August 24th, 1832 193 years ago — 36 years old
A prominent physicist and engineer, contributed significantly to the field of thermodynamics. Formulated the Carnot cycle, which laid the foundation for the second law of thermodynamics. Focused on the efficiency of heat engines and proposed a theoretical model for understanding heat transfer. His work established principles that influenced later scientists and engineers in the study of energy conversion.
Continue ReadingJohn William Polidori
Physician and author of 'The Vampyre'
Born
September 7th, 1795 230 years ago
Died
August 24th, 1821 204 years ago — 25 years old
An English physician and writer, contributed to the horror genre with the publication of 'The Vampyre' in 1819, a seminal work that introduced the modern vampire archetype. This story emerged alongside the Gothic tradition, showcasing themes of eroticism and mortality. Polidori's role in the Romantic literary circle included connections with prominent figures like Lord Byron, and he participated in pivotal literary discussions during the summer of 1816 at Lake Geneva, which inspired the creation of Frankenstein.
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