What Happened This Year 1917

Born in 1917

John Anderson Jr.

Politician and Governor of Kansas
Born
1917 108 years ago
Died
September 15th, 2014 10 years ago — 97 years old

Served as the 36th Governor of Kansas from 1975 to 1979. Practiced law and was active in politics, focusing on issues relevant to the state. Held various positions in the Kansas government and was involved in multiple legislative initiatives during his tenure. After leaving office, continued to engage in public service and community activities, significantly contributing to the political landscape of Kansas.

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Margaret Taylor-Burroughs

Painter & author, DuSable Museum co-founder
Born
1917 108 years ago
Died
November 21st, 2010 14 years ago — 93 years old

An American painter and author, contributed significantly to the arts and education. Co-founded the DuSable Museum of African American History in Chicago, which focuses on African American culture and history. Created works that reflected the African American experience and focused on promoting cultural awareness. Served as a teacher and mentor, influencing future generations of artists and scholars.

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Reed Crandall

American illustrator and comic artist
Born
1917 108 years ago
Died
September 13th, 1982 42 years ago — 65 years old

An American illustrator gained recognition for work in comic books and magazine illustrations. Contributed art to numerous publications including 'Eerie' and 'Creepy' magazines in the horror and fantasy genres. Collaborated with various comic writers and played a significant role in popularizing graphic storytelling during the mid-20th century. His distinctive style influenced subsequent generations of comic artists.

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Waldemar von Gazen

German general and lawyer
Born
1917 108 years ago
Died
January 13th, 2014 11 years ago — 97 years old

Served as a general in the German Army, engaging in military strategy and operations. Had a prominent legal career, contributing to military law and regulations. Participated in various conflicts during his tenure and provided legal oversight in military situations. Involved in post-war military restructuring.

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Mario Biaggi

American police officer and politician
Born
1917 108 years ago
Died
June 24th, 2015 9 years ago — 98 years old

Served as a police officer in New York City for over two decades before transitioning into a political career. Elected to Congress, represented the 21st congressional district of New York from 1983 to 1993. Biaggi faced legal issues later in life, impacting his legacy. His work included initiatives related to public safety and law enforcement reforms.

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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 23 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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Vasiľ Biľak

Slovak politician, Communist Party leader
Born
1917 108 years ago
Died
February 6th, 2014 11 years ago — 97 years old

A significant figure in Slovak politics, served as a prominent member of the Communist Party of Slovakia. Played a key role in the events surrounding the Prague Spring of 1968 and the subsequent suppression of reform movements in Czechoslovakia. Held various government positions, including Minister of Interior and Deputy Prime Minister. Biľak’s influence extended over several decades, contributing to the political landscape during the communist era in Czechoslovakia.

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