What Happened This Year 1903

Born in 1903

Ernie Nevers

American football player and coach
Born
June 11th, 1903 121 years ago
Died
1976 49 years ago — 73 years old

Played as a halfback in the National Football League. Achieved recognition as one of the early stars of American football, contributing to the league's popularity. Coached several teams after his playing career, including the Duluth Eskimos and Chicago Cardinals. Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1963, honoring a career that spanned the 1920s and 1930s. Beyond football, Nevers participated in various sports, showcasing versatility in athletics. His playing style and achievements helped shape the game during its formative years.

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Rose Rand

Logician and philosopher in Vienna Circle
Born
June 14th, 1903 121 years ago
Died
July 28th, 1980 44 years ago — 77 years old

Born in Austria, a significant logician and philosopher contributed to the Vienna Circle, an influential group in the development of logical positivism. Active in the early to mid-20th century, offered critical insights into the philosophy of language and mathematics. Educated in mathematics and philosophy, her work spanned various topics including logical theory and the foundations of mathematics. Emigrated to the United States during World War II, continuing philosophical work in academic settings.

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Alonzo Church

Mathematician and logician; Church-Turing Thesis
Born
June 14th, 1903 121 years ago
Died
1995 30 years ago — 92 years old

A prominent mathematician and logician contributed significantly to the fields of mathematical logic and theoretical computer science. Introduced the concept of lambda calculus, which became foundational for functional programming. Developed the Church-Turing Thesis, proposing that any effectively calculable function can be computed by a Turing machine, laying important groundwork for modern computer science. Worked on recursive functions and demonstrated the undecidability of the Entscheidungsproblem. Served as a professor at Princeton University and held various prestigious academic positions.

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Ruth Graves Wakefield

Chef who created the chocolate chip cookie
Born
June 17th, 1903 121 years ago
Died
1977 48 years ago — 74 years old

A chef and entrepreneur, she owned the Toll House Inn in Massachusetts. In the 1930s, she invented the chocolate chip cookie by adding chocolate morsels to her butter drop cookie recipe. This innovation became widespread, leading to the chocolate chip cookie's popularity across the United States. The cookie's recipe was published in a Boston newspaper, quickly gaining traction. Eventually, Nestlé entered into an agreement to include her recipe on its chocolate packaging, further cementing the cookie's place in American culture.

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Raymond Radiguet

French author known for 'The Devil in the Flesh'
Born
June 18th, 1903 121 years ago
Died
December 12th, 1923 101 years ago — 20 years old

An influential French author and poet. Best recognized for the novel 'The Devil in the Flesh', which explores themes of love and desire during World War I. Radiguet's writings often reflected the complexities of youth and the impact of war on society. His literary career, although brief, garnered significant attention for its emotional depth and stylistic innovation. Radiguet's work is noted for its exploration of personal and societal conflicts amid the backdrop of historical events.

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Jeanette MacDonald

Actor and Singer in Musical Films
Born
June 18th, 1903 121 years ago
Died
January 14th, 1965 60 years ago — 61 years old

An influential actress and singer in the early 20th century, this individual became renowned for her roles in a series of musical films. Collaborating frequently with Nelson Eddy, produced significant box office successes. Musical talents complemented on-screen performances in operettas that captivated audiences. Her performances helped define the genre for Hollywood musicals during the 1930s and 1940s.

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Lou Gehrig

Baseball player; 'Iron Horse' of the Yankees
Born
June 19th, 1903 121 years ago
Died
June 2nd, 1941 83 years ago — 37 years old

Played first base for the New York Yankees from 1923 to 1939. Established himself as one of the greatest players in Major League Baseball history. Achieved a batting average of .340 over his career, with 493 home runs and 1,995 RBIs. Helped lead the Yankees to six World Series championships. Awarded the American League MVP in 1927. His career was tragically cut short by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, now commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease, leading to a legacy of sportsmanship and resilience.

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Hans Litten

German lawyer known for legal resistance
Born
June 19th, 1903 121 years ago
Died
February 5th, 1938 87 years ago — 34 years old

A German lawyer and jurist, focused on anti-Nazi legal defense, particularly represented political dissidents. Gained attention for cross-examining Adolf Hitler during a trial in 1931, which highlighted the regime's oppressive tactics. Faced persecution by the Nazi regime, leading to imprisonment and eventual death in a concentration camp in 1938. Litten's work signified legal challenges against totalitarianism.

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Wally Hammond

English cricketer and coach, Test captain
Born
June 19th, 1903 121 years ago
Died
July 1st, 1965 59 years ago — 62 years old

Played Test cricket for England from 1920 to 1947. Captained the team and had a successful coaching career. Accumulated over 7,000 runs in Test matches, including 22 centuries. Utilized strong batting skills, contributing significantly to England's cricketing achievements.

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