What Happened This Year 1917

Born in 1917

Wilfrid Noyce

Mountaineer and author of climbing literature
Born
December 31st, 1917 107 years ago
Died
July 24th, 1962 62 years ago — 44 years old

A prominent English mountaineer and author, contributed significantly to mountaineering literature and exploration. Played a key role in the first ascent of Makalu in 1955 as part of a British expedition. Authored several works on mountain climbing, including 'The Hard Road' which detailed personal experiences and the philosophy of climbing. Actively participated in numerous expeditions to the Himalayas and other regions, promoting the sport and sharing knowledge on climbing techniques and ethics.

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Evelyn Knight

American singer with hit 'A Little Bird Told Me'
Born
December 31st, 1917 107 years ago
Died
2007 18 years ago — 90 years old

Started a career in music in the late 1930s, gaining prominence through radio and recording. Achieved considerable success with the hit single 'A Little Bird Told Me' in 1948, which topped the charts and became a defining song of the era. Her style blended traditional pop and easy listening, appealing to a wide audience. Continued to perform and record throughout the subsequent decades, contributing to a rich legacy in the American music scene.

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Malcolm Forbes

American publisher and entrepreneur
Born
August 19th, 1919 105 years ago
Died
February 24th, 1990 35 years ago — 70 years old

A prominent publisher, focused on business and finance, established Forbes Magazine in 1917, which gained recognition for reporting on global economic trends and entrepreneurship. Led the magazine through significant growth, transforming it into a leading source of information on wealth and business strategies. Active in various business ventures including the Forbes Group, the publication's renowned ranking lists, such as the Forbes 400, became standard references for gauging American wealth. Notable for advocating for economic freedom and entrepreneurship, supported numerous philanthropic causes related to education and healthcare.

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Al Monchak

Baseball player and coach for the Pirates
Born
1917 108 years ago
Died
September 12th, 2015 9 years ago — 98 years old

Played Major League Baseball as an outfielder, debuting in 1946 with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Continued with the Pirates until 1949. Transitioned into coaching and managed several minor league teams. Contributed to player development and scouting within the organization. Served in various roles over decades, influencing the next generation of players.

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W. T. Tutte

Mathematician and graph theory pioneer
Born
1917 108 years ago
Died
May 2nd, 2002 22 years ago — 85 years old

Contributions to combinatorial mathematics focused on graph theory. Tutte developed fundamental theories in graph connectivity and matching. Work included Tutte's theorem, which provides conditions for the existence of a perfect matching in bipartite graphs. Held positions at the University of Toronto and received multiple awards for contributions to mathematics.

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Gajanan Madhav Muktibodh

Indian poet and literary critic
Born
1917 108 years ago
Died
September 11th, 1964 60 years ago — 47 years old

A prominent figure in modern Marathi literature, contributed significantly as a poet and critic. Muktibodh's poetry often dealt with themes of existentialism, society, and human emotions. His most celebrated works include the poetry collection 'Bhagavad Gita' and the poem 'Usha Dhrushta'. He also worked as a literary critic and editor for various magazines, critiquing contemporary literature and advocating for social change through poetry. His writing style was characterized by a deep exploration of the human psyche and the socio-political landscape of India during his time.

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Stanley Rogers Resor

U.S. Secretary of the Army
Born
1917 108 years ago
Died
April 17th, 2012 13 years ago — 95 years old

Served as the 9th United States Secretary of the Army from 1965 to 1967. Resor's tenure coincided with significant events in U.S. military history, including the escalating involvement in the Vietnam War. Prior to this role, practiced law and contributed to various military-related legal matters. Engaged in political service while supporting various defense initiatives during his career.

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Victor Marijnen

Dutch politician and Prime Minister
Born
1917 108 years ago
Died
April 5th, 1975 50 years ago — 58 years old

Served as a prominent Dutch politician during the mid-20th century. Held the office of Prime Minister of the Netherlands from 1963 to 1965 as a member of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy. Focused on modernizing the government's approach to economic policies and social issues. Engaged in international diplomacy, especially in matters affecting European cooperation. His tenure was marked by significant debates over social reform and economic development in a post-war context.

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Liu Fuzhi

Chinese politician and Minister of Justice
Born
1917 108 years ago
Died
August 25th, 2013 11 years ago — 96 years old

Served as the 3rd Minister of Justice for China. Played a significant role in the development and reform of legal systems in the country. Engaged in various academic pursuits, contributing to discussions on law and governance in China. Involved in policy-making that affected the judiciary and the wider legal framework during the period of reform.

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