Yuya Osako
Japanese footballer, FC Köln forward
This footballer began his professional career with the J. League club, Kashima Antlers, and contributed to their 2011 league championship title. In 2014, moved to Germany to join 1. FC Köln in the Bundesliga. Represented the Japan national team in multiple international tournaments, including the FIFA World Cup and AFC Asian Cup. Played a key role in Japan's victory in the 2011 AFC Asian Cup, scoring important goals during the tournament.
Won the 2011 AFC Asian Cup with Japan
Competed in the 2014 and 2018 FIFA World Cups
Scored in the 2011 J. League Championship final
Other People Born on May 18th
Bernard Zweers
Dutch composer and educator
Born
May 18th, 1854 171 years ago
Died
December 9th, 1924 101 years ago — 70 years old
Born in 1854, one of the prominent figures in the 19th-century Dutch music scene. He composed numerous orchestral works, chamber music, and operas, contributing significantly to the classical repertoire. His education work influenced many musicians and composers in the Netherlands. Served as a professor at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague, where he shaped the education of emerging musicians. His works often reflect the Romantic style and were performed in various venues across Europe.
Continue ReadingNicholas II of Russia
Last Emperor of Russia before 1917
Born
May 18th, 1868 157 years ago
Died
1918 108 years ago — 50 years old
Born in 1868, the last Emperor of Russia ruled from 1894 until his abdication in 1917 during the Russian Revolution. Nicholas II faced numerous challenges, including military defeats in World War I and widespread social unrest. His reign saw the fall of the Russian Empire, and he and his family were executed by Bolsheviks in 1918. Historically significant, his reign marked the end of over three centuries of Romanov rule.
Continue ReadingLillian Hoban
American author and illustrator of children's books
Born
May 18th, 1925 100 years ago
Died
July 17th, 1998 27 years ago — 73 years old
An author and illustrator specialized in children's literature. Published a number of popular books, with a significant emphasis on themes of friendship, family, and discovery. Collaborated with her husband on several projects, contributing illustrations that complemented engaging narratives. Worked extensively with various publishing houses to bring stories to life through vivid illustrations. ''Arthur's Family'' and ''The Two of Them'' represent milestones in her career, showcasing the combination of visual artistry and compelling storytelling. Her contributions have been recognized in the realm of children's literature over several decades.
Continue ReadingW. G. Sebald
Novelist known for 'The Emigrants'
Born
May 18th, 1944 81 years ago
Died
December 14th, 2001 24 years ago — 57 years old
An influential writer, focused on themes of memory, exile, and the impact of history. Worked primarily in German and was awarded several literary prizes. Utilized a unique narrative style, blending fiction with essays and photographs. Spent a significant part of his life in England, where he taught and published extensively. 'The Emigrants', a seminal work, explored the lives of displaced individuals and their ties to the past. Other notable works include 'Austerlitz' and 'Vertigo', which delve into similar themes.
Continue ReadingMeredith Willson
Playwright and composer of The Music Man
Born
May 18th, 1902 123 years ago
Died
June 15th, 1984 41 years ago — 82 years old
A composer and playwright created the Broadway musical The Music Man, which premiered in 1957. The show followed a con man named Harold Hill who posed as a band leader in a small Iowa town. Willson also wrote the successful musical-notes for several other works, including The Unsinkable Molly Brown. His background in music, as a conductor and musician, greatly influenced his creative output and compositional style. Willson's contributions to the arts have been recognized through numerous awards including Tony Awards for his work. His legacy continues through the enduring popularity of The Music Man, which remains a staple in theater productions worldwide.
Continue ReadingDon Whillans
Rock climber and mountaineer
Born
May 18th, 1933 92 years ago
Died
August 4th, 1985 40 years ago — 52 years old
An English rock climber and mountaineer, gained recognition for significant ascents in the 1950s and 1960s. Participated in notable climbs in the Himalayas, including an attempt on Kangchenjunga in 1976. Contributed to the development of climbing techniques and equipment during a transformative period in the sport. Often associated with the spirit of adventure and pioneering climbing routes in the UK and abroad.
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