Teena Marie
Singer-songwriter and producer with 'Lovergirl'
An American singer-songwriter and producer, this artist emerged in the late 1970s and gained prominence in the 1980s. She released multiple albums that featured a blend of R&B, funk, and soul. The first artist to sign with Motown Records who was not African American, she developed a strong following and became known for her powerful vocals and songwriting skills. Her work included hit singles and collaborations with notable artists. The album 'Irons in the Fire' and the song 'Lovergirl' contributed significantly to her legacy in music.
Released the hit single 'Lovergirl'
Collaborated with Rick James on multiple projects
Other People Born on March 5th
Nelly Arcan
Canadian author acclaimed for novels
Born
March 5th, 1973 52 years ago
Died
September 24th, 2009 16 years ago — 36 years old
An acclaimed Canadian author, recognized for exploring themes of identity, femininity, and societal pressures through literature. Gained recognition with the debut novel, "Putain," published in 2001, which sparked conversations about sexuality and contemporary women's experiences. Followed with several notable works, including "La Signora" and "Folle". Her writing style combined lyrical prose with sharp social critique, earning critical praise and a dedicated readership. Arcan's influence extended beyond literature into discussions on feminism and cultural commentary, making significant contributions to contemporary Canadian literature until her passing in 2009.
Continue ReadingJ. B. Lenoir
Blues singer-songwriter and guitarist
Born
March 5th, 1929 96 years ago
Died
April 29th, 1967 58 years ago — 38 years old
A prominent figure in the Chicago blues scene, this musician gained recognition for his powerful vocals and skilled guitar work. He recorded several influential tracks during the 1950s, blending traditional blues with personal and socially conscious themes. His song 'Mama Talk to Your Daughter' became a classic and is still celebrated in the blues genre. Throughout the 1960s, he continued to record and perform, despite facing health challenges. His contributions to blues music remained significant until his untimely death in 1967.
Continue ReadingFred
Brazilian footballer, 2013 Copa do Mundo
Born
March 5th, 1993 32 years ago
Died
April 2nd, 2013 12 years ago — 20 years old
This Brazilian footballer played as a midfielder. Debuted professionally in 2010 with the club América Mineiro. Transferred to the European club Shakhtar Donetsk in 2013, where achieved significant success, including winning multiple league titles and the UEFA Cup in 2010. Returned to Brazil in 2018, joining the club Fluminense. Represented Brazil in international competitions, contributing to the national team during the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup and the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Continue ReadingVasily Trediakovsky
Russian poet and playwright
Born
March 5th, 1703 322 years ago
Died
August 17th, 1768 257 years ago — 65 years old
Born in 1703, contributed significantly to Russian literature and poetry. Established a connection between Russian and Western literary traditions. Authored poetry and plays that influenced subsequent generations of writers. Promoted the use of the Russian language in literature alongside classical forms and themes. Engaged in translating works from various European languages, which expanded the literary repertoire in Russia.
Continue ReadingWilliam Oughtred
English mathematician and inventor of the slide rule
Born
March 5th, 1575 450 years ago
Died
June 30th, 1660 365 years ago — 85 years old
An English minister and mathematician, Oughtred contributed significantly to the field of mathematics in the 17th century. He introduced the slide rule, a device used for calculation based on logarithms, and authored several influential mathematical texts, including 'The Circle of Proportion' and 'The Art of Mathematics'. His works helped to formalize and advance mathematical notation. Oughtred served as a minister in the Church of England, balancing his religious duties with his passion for mathematics, and gained respect among mathematicians in his lifetime.
Continue ReadingGerardus Mercator
Flemish cartographer and mathematician
Born
March 5th, 1512 513 years ago
Died
December 2nd, 1594 431 years ago — 82 years old
Born in Flanders, this mathematician and cartographer developed a new method for representing the spherical earth on a flat surface. His 1569 world map introduced the Mercator projection, which became widely used in navigation due to its ability to represent lines of constant course. Apart from cartography, engaged in philosophical inquiry and mathematical studies that contributed to the fields of geography and navigation. The impact of this work extended beyond his lifetime, cementing a significant place in the history of map-making.
Continue ReadingOther People Who Died on December 26th
Pedro Armendáriz Jr.
Actor in Mexican cinema and television
Born
April 6th, 1940 85 years ago
Died
December 26th, 2011 14 years ago — 71 years old
An actor and producer who contributed significantly to the Mexican film industry. Gained recognition for roles in several critically acclaimed films and television series. His career spanned over four decades, appearing in numerous productions that showcased his talent and versatility. Participated in international projects, enhancing the visibility of Mexican cinema worldwide. Also worked in theater, further broadening artistic expression through various mediums.
Continue ReadingKerry Packer
Australian media mogul & businessman
Born
1937 89 years ago
Died
December 26th, 2005 20 years ago — 68 years old
Transformed the landscape of Australian media through strategic acquisitions and the creation of new broadcasting entities. Established the PBL media group, overseeing significant operations in television and publishing. Played a crucial role in the development of the Nine Network, which hosted popular programs such as the Nine News and The Footy Show. Actively supported cricket, founding World Series Cricket, which revolutionized the sport's broadcasting and commercial viability.
Continue ReadingLukas Enembe
Indonesian politician, Governor of Papua
Born
1967 59 years ago
Died
December 26th, 2023 2 years ago — 56 years old
Served as the Governor of Papua from 2013 to 2023. Focused on economic development and education reforms in the province. Held leadership roles within various local government organizations. Engaged with international stakeholders to promote Papua's interests.
Continue ReadingIvar Formo
Norwegian skier and engineer, Olympic gold medalist
Born
1951 75 years ago
Died
December 26th, 2006 19 years ago — 55 years old
An accomplished skier and engineer, participated in ski jumping and Nordic combined events. Contributed significantly to the engineering field while pursuing skiing as a major competitive sport. Achieved notable success at the 1968 Winter Olympics, securing a gold medal in the 4x10 km relay. Competed in various international championships, showcasing exceptional skills and strategies in skiing. Combined professional expertise in engineering with competitive skiing during a prolific career.
Continue ReadingJim O'Toole
Major League Baseball pitcher and All-Star
Born
1937 89 years ago
Died
December 26th, 2015 10 years ago — 78 years old
Played as a pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds and the Chicago White Sox during a career spanning from 1958 to 1966. Achieved recognition for outstanding performance in the 1963 season, leading the National League in earned run average (ERA) with a remarkable 2.57. Selected for the All-Star team in 1964, further showcasing pitching skills at the highest level in Major League Baseball. Concluded career with a record of 89 wins and 77 losses over his time in the league.
Continue ReadingEdward O. Wilson
Biologist and author of Sociobiology
Born
1929 97 years ago
Died
December 26th, 2021 4 years ago — 92 years old
A prominent biologist, this individual contributed significantly to the fields of ecology, evolutionary biology, and entomology. This person served as a professor at Harvard University, where notable research on ant behavior and sociobiology was conducted. The individual authored over 30 books, including 'Sociobiology: The New Synthesis,' introducing the concept of social behavior in animals through an evolutionary lens. Efforts focused on biodiversity also led to the establishment of initiatives aimed at conserving Earth's ecosystems.
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