Sebastião José de Carvalho e Melo
1st Marquis of Pombal, Portuguese Prime Minister
Born
Died
Category
Leaders & Politicians
Country
Portugal
Links & References
Held the office of Prime Minister of Portugal from 1750 to 1777. Implemented significant reforms in education, economics, and administration following the 1755 Lisbon earthquake. Advocated for the reduction of the power of the Church and centralized royal authority, thereby modernizing the state. Initiated infrastructure projects and promoted trade, contributing to Portugal's recovery and growth in the 18th century.
Served as Prime Minister of Portugal from 1750 to 1777
Reformed the Portuguese economy and administration
Oversaw the rebuilding of Lisbon after the 1755 earthquake
Other People Born on May 13th
Charles Watson-Wentworth
British Prime Minister, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham
Born
May 13th, 1730 295 years ago
Died
July 1st, 1782 243 years ago — 52 years old
Served as Prime Minister of Great Britain during two non-consecutive terms in the 18th century. His first term lasted from 1765 to 1766 and was marked by efforts to repeal the Stamp Act, which aimed to tax American colonies. The second term occurred from 1782 until his death in 1782, focusing on peace negotiations following the American Revolutionary War. Active in the Whig party, implemented policies that shaped British governance during a turbulent time.
Continue ReadingJoe Forshaw
American runner, competed in the Olympics
Born
May 13th, 1881 144 years ago
Died
1964 61 years ago — 83 years old
Competed in long-distance running events during the early 20th century. Participated in the 1908 Summer Olympics held in London, representing the United States. Specialized in the 10,000 meters and cross-country races, achieving notable rankings in national competitions. Contributed to the sport's development by inspiring future generations of athletes through participation in prestigious events.
Continue ReadingJoe Louis
Professional boxer and world heavyweight champion
Born
May 13th, 1914 111 years ago
Died
April 12th, 1981 44 years ago — 66 years old
A professional boxer and wrestler gained international fame as a heavyweight champion. Held the world heavyweight boxing title from 1937 to 1949, defending it 25 times, a record at the time. Became a significant figure in sports history, transcending athletics to influence social issues during his career. Fought in several iconic bouts, most notably defeating Max Schmeling in 1938, a match symbolizing the racial tensions of the era. Transitioned to wrestling later in his career, continuing to engage audiences nationwide until retirement.
Continue ReadingRonald Ross
Physician who discovered malaria's vector
Born
May 13th, 1857 168 years ago
Died
September 16th, 1932 93 years ago — 75 years old
A physician and mathematician emerged as a prominent figure in the study of malaria. Conducted groundbreaking research on mosquito-borne diseases while working in India. Received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1902 for discovering the life cycle of the malaria parasite within Anopheles mosquitoes. The work laid the foundation for malaria control and prevention methods, significantly influencing public health efforts worldwide. His contributions extended to various aspects of disease transmission and vector control, marking a milestone in the understanding of infectious diseases.
Continue ReadingSteve Mildenhall
English footballer and goalkeeper
Born
May 13th, 1979 46 years ago
Played as a goalkeeper in English football, beginning his career at Southampton. Had successful spells at various clubs, including a notable tenure at Grimsby Town. Contributed to the team's promotion to League One during the 2011-2012 season. Also played for other clubs, showcasing consistent performances.
Continue ReadingRomelu Lukaku
Belgian footballer and goal scorer
Born
May 13th, 1993 32 years ago
Professional footballer born in Belgium, played as a striker. Started career at Anderlecht, where he won the Belgian Pro League. Moved to the Premier League, joining Chelsea, then loaned to West Bromwich Albion and Everton. Became a key player at Manchester United, winning the EFL Cup and UEFA Europa League. Joined Inter Milan, leading the team to victory in Serie A. Returned to Chelsea in 2021 before further loan stints. Contributed significantly to the Belgium national team, participating in multiple European Championships and World Cups.
Continue ReadingOther People Who Died on May 8th
Oswald Spengler
German historian and philosopher
Born
May 29th, 1880 145 years ago
Died
May 8th, 1936 89 years ago — 55 years old
Born in 1880, this historian and philosopher developed the theory of cultural cycles in his seminal work, 'The Decline of the West'. The book analyzed the life cycles of civilizations, comparing them to natural phenomena. Emphasizing a deterministic view of history, the work suggested that cultures rise and fall in predictable patterns. His ideas sparked debates in fields such as history, sociology, and philosophy, influencing subsequent thinkers in these disciplines. The work's impact resonated in both academic and popular spheres, making it a significant contribution to 20th-century thought.
Continue ReadingEddy Arnold
American country singer and songwriter
Born
May 15th, 1918 107 years ago
Died
May 8th, 2008 17 years ago — 89 years old
One of the leading voices in country music, Arnold gained prominence in the 1940s and 1950s. He pioneered the Nashville Sound, a movement that blended country music with pop elements, which significantly broadened the genre's appeal. Arnold recorded numerous hit songs, including 'Make the World Go Away' and 'I'll Hold You in My Heart.' His career spanned several decades, and he became a key figure in the transition of country music into mainstream culture. In addition to music, Arnold appeared in films and on television, showcasing his talents beyond the recording studio.
Continue ReadingAntoine Lavoisier
French chemist, father of modern chemistry
Born
August 26th, 1743 282 years ago
Died
May 8th, 1794 231 years ago — 50 years old
Contributed significantly to the establishment of modern chemistry. Conducted experiments that led to the identification of oxygen and the role it plays in combustion. Introduced methods for chemical nomenclature and classification. Played a crucial role in debunking the phlogiston theory, thus paving the way for the chemical revolution of the late 18th century. Provided critical insights into the conservation of mass, formulating the law that mass is neither created nor destroyed in chemical reactions. His work laid the foundations for analytical chemistry and shaped future research in the field.
Continue ReadingChris Cannon
American politician, Congressman from Utah
Born
October 20th, 1950 75 years ago
Died
May 8th, 2024 1 years ago — 73 years old
Served as a U.S. Representative for Utah’s 3rd congressional district from 2003 to 2009. Worked on various committees, including the Judiciary Committee and the House Committee on Education and Labor. Championed issues such as education reform and immigration policy during tenure. Lost re-election in 2008, concluding a legislative career focused on conservative values and local interests.
Continue ReadingÉtienne François
French General and Prime Minister of France
Born
June 28th, 1719 306 years ago
Died
May 8th, 1785 240 years ago — 65 years old
Born in 1719, served as a prominent general and politician in France. Served as Prime Minister from 1758 to 1763, overseeing military and foreign policy during the Seven Years' War. Advocated for reforms in the French military and managed diplomatic relations with other European powers. Played a significant role in the allocation of resources during wartime and contributed to the administrative structure of the French government.
Continue ReadingGino Bianco
Brazilian racing driver and competitor
Born
July 22nd, 1916 109 years ago
Died
May 8th, 1984 41 years ago — 67 years old
Born in Brazil in 1916, a notable racing driver participated in various competitions during the mid-20th century. Competed in the Formula One World Championship in the early 1950s, showcasing skills on international tracks. Achieved several significant results in regional and international races, contributing to the sport's popularity in Brazil.
Continue Reading