Wilhelm Zaisser
German soldier and politician
Born
Died
1958
68 years ago — 65 years old
Category
Leaders & Politicians
Country
Germany
Links & References
Born in 1893, the individual served in the military during World War I. Post-war, the person became involved in politics, joining the Socialist Unity Party of Germany. From 1949 until 1954, held the position of Minister of State Security in East Germany, overseeing the Stasi, the official state security service. This role included significant influence in shaping the security and surveillance strategies of the East German government during the Cold War.
Served as Minister of State Security in East Germany
Led the Stasi during the Cold War
Other People Born on June 20th
Simin Behbahani
Iranian poet and activist
Born
June 20th, 1927 98 years ago
Died
August 19th, 2014 11 years ago — 87 years old
Born in Tehran, this poet became an influential figure in contemporary Persian literature. With a career spanning several decades, contributions included extensive poetry collections and numerous social activism efforts. Works often addressed themes of women’s rights and freedom. Her poetry was characterized by traditional styles infused with modern perspectives. International literary recognition came alongside advocacy for civil rights in Iran, particularly during political upheavals. Behbahani received numerous accolades both in Iran and globally for her literary contributions, including the title of 'Lioness of Iran.'
Continue ReadingVasili Berezutski
Russian footballer and defender
Born
June 20th, 1982 43 years ago
Played professional football primarily as a central defender. Spent most of the career with PFC CSKA Moscow, contributing to the team's successes in both domestic and European competitions. Earned multiple Russian Premier League titles and was part of the squad that won the UEFA Europa League in 2005. Represented the national team, participating in major tournaments, including the 2014 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2016.
Continue ReadingIlan Ramon
Israeli astronaut and space shuttle pilot
Born
June 20th, 1954 71 years ago
Died
2003 23 years ago — 49 years old
An Israeli colonel and fighter pilot, entered NASA's astronaut program in 1998. Flew on the STS-107 mission aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia in 2003. This mission included scientific experiments and educational outreach. Tragically, Columbia disintegrated during re-entry on February 1, 2003, resulting in the loss of all seven crew members.
Continue ReadingAnthony Buckeridge
English author of children's books
Born
June 20th, 1912 113 years ago
Died
June 28th, 2004 21 years ago — 92 years old
An English author, recognized primarily for writing children's literature. Best known for creating the character Jennings in a series of novels, which started with ' Jennings Goes to School' in 1950. The stories centered around the adventures of Jennings and his friend Darbishire at a British boarding school, blending humor with relatable school experiences. Buckeridge also worked as a teacher and wrote for radio, contributing to educational programs. His storytelling style captivated young audiences and solidified his place in children's literature.
Continue ReadingJohn A. Costello
Irish lawyer and politician, 3rd Taoiseach
Born
June 20th, 1891 134 years ago
Died
1976 50 years ago — 85 years old
Served as the 3rd Taoiseach of Ireland from 1948 to 1951 and again from 1954 to 1957. Advocated for the policy of neutrality during World War II. Contributed to the development of the constitution of Ireland and played a role in promoting Irish sovereignty.
Continue ReadingJean-Marie Le Pen
French politician and far-right leader
Born
June 20th, 1928 97 years ago
Died
January 7th, 2025 1 years ago — 96 years old
Served as a French politician and founded the National Front, a far-right political party. Held a position in the French National Assembly for several terms and was a prominent figure in French politics for decades. Advocated for strict immigration policies and was known for controversial statements regarding race and nationality. Ran for presidency multiple times, securing a significant portion of the vote in the 2002 election, reaching the second round against Jacques Chirac.
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