William B. Travis
American colonel at the Alamo
Born
Died
1836
189 years ago — 27 years old
Category
Military & Warriors
Country
United States
Links & References
Born in 1809, a lawyer and soldier. Served as the Lieutenant Colonel in the Texian Army during the Texas Revolution. Commanded the Texian forces at the Battle of the Alamo, a pivotal event in the quest for Texas independence from Mexico. Was besieged in the Alamo by Mexican troops led by General Antonio López de Santa Anna. Authored the famous 'Victory or Death' letter, appealing for reinforcements during the siege. Died in battle on March 6, 1836, becoming a martyr for Texas independence.
Commanded Texian forces at the Alamo
Authored the 'Victory or Death' letter
Other People Born on August 1st
George Habash
Palestinian politician, PFLP founder
Born
August 1st, 1926 99 years ago
Died
2008 17 years ago — 82 years old
A prominent Palestinian politician, founded the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) in 1967. Played a significant role in advocating for Palestinian rights and engaged in leftist revolutionary activities. Contributed to the Palestinian national cause through political representation and armed struggle, particularly during the 1970s and 1980s. Served as the PFLP's leader until later years and influenced various Palestinian factions and movements.
Continue ReadingGeoffrey Holder
Actor and choreographer of 'The Wiz'
Born
August 1st, 1930 95 years ago
Died
October 5th, 2014 11 years ago — 84 years old
Born in Trinidad, a notable career in performing arts included acting, singing, dancing, and choreography. Featured in the Broadway musical 'The Wiz' as the Wiz and served as choreographer for the production. Appeared in films such as 'Live and Let Die' and 'The Muppet Movie'. Also worked as a director and contributed significantly to the arts scene, especially in his innovative choreography. Holder's voice and presence distinguished him in various performances across theater and film, bringing a unique energy to the stage.
Continue ReadingGeorge de Hevesy
Chemist and Nobel Prize laureate
Born
August 1st, 1885 140 years ago
Died
July 5th, 1966 59 years ago — 80 years old
Born in Hungary, a chemist contributed to the development of modern radiochemistry. Detailed work on isotopes and their applications in medicinal and industrial fields led to groundbreaking research in radioactivity. Held various academic positions in Europe, notably at the University of Freiburg and the Niels Bohr Institute in Copenhagen. Received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1943 for introducing radioactive tracers in the study of chemical processes. His research significantly advanced knowledge in tracing chemical reactions and understanding the behavior of elements at the atomic level.
Continue ReadingAnn Calvello
Roller derby racer and champion
Born
August 1st, 1929 96 years ago
Died
2006 19 years ago — 77 years old
Began roller derby career in the 1940s, competing in various leagues across the United States. Gained prominence for her aggressive playing style and colorful personality. Participated in televised roller derby, which helped popularize the sport. Continued to compete into her 80s, showcasing longevity in the sport. Authored a memoir detailing experiences and challenges faced in roller derby, contributing to the history of the sport.
Continue ReadingJames Mourilyan Tanner
British paediatric endocrinologist
Born
August 1st, 1920 105 years ago
Died
August 11th, 2010 15 years ago — 90 years old
Contributed significantly to the field of paediatric endocrinology through research on growth and puberty. Developed Tanner stages, a widely used classification system for human development during childhood and adolescence. Published extensively on growth patterns, hormone effects, and nutrition in children. Served as a major figure at the Institute of Child Health in London.
Continue ReadingAvi Arad
Screenwriter and producer, Marvel Studios founder
Born
August 1st, 1948 77 years ago
This Israeli-American screenwriter and producer founded Marvel Studios, significantly influencing the film industry. The collaborative efforts with Marvel Comics led to the creation of a new era of superhero films. Under leadership, Marvel released a series of blockbuster films, including 'Spider-Man', 'Iron Man', and 'The Avengers'. Arad's vision for adapting comic book characters to the big screen contributed to the resurgence of interest in superhero franchises.
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