What Happened This Year 1878

All Events 27 Births 192 Deaths 47

Born in 1878

Emmy Destinn

Czech soprano and poet

Born

1878 147 years ago

Died

January 28th, 1930 95 years ago — 52 years old

A prominent soprano, recognized for contributions to opera and poetry. Gained international fame as a leading performer at the Metropolitan Opera, portraying roles in works such as 'Carmen' and 'Tosca.' Also performed at the Royal Opera House in London and the Opera de Paris. Destinn was an influential figure in the music scene during the early 20th century, and her vocal talent earned her accolades across Europe.

Franz Reichelt

Tailor and inventor of the parachute suit

Born

1878 147 years ago

Died

February 4th, 1912 113 years ago — 34 years old

An Austrian-born French tailor invented a parachute suit that aimed to enable safe jumps from heights. Conducted a public demonstration at the Eiffel Tower to showcase the invention. The parachute suit was intended for use by aviators, seeking to improve safety during airborne activities. The demonstration ended in tragedy when the suit failed to deploy properly during the jump.

Georgios Kondylis

Greek general and Prime Minister

Born

1878 147 years ago

Died

February 1st, 1936 89 years ago — 58 years old

A general and politician from Greece, served as the 128th Prime Minister from 1926 to 1928. His military career included participation in the Greco-Turkish War (1919-1922). After the war, Kondylis became involved in politics, leading various military and political factions. His governance focused on stabilizing the country post-war. His tenure was marked by significant political changes within Greece.