What Happened This Year 1920
Born in 1920
Janet Jagan
Served as the 6th President of Guyana from 1997 to 1999. Held significant roles in politics and was a founding member of the People's Progressive Party. Actively involved in the fight for independence from British colonial rule and contributed to the political landscape of Guyana throughout her life. Served as the Prime Minister of Guyana prior to presidency from 1995 to 1997. Engaged in various social causes including women's rights and education.
Continue ReadingSiddhartha Shankar Ray
A prominent lawyer and politician, served as the Chief Minister of West Bengal from 1972 to 1977. Played a pivotal role in state politics during a transformative period, overseeing various economic and social policies. Was involved in the Indian National Congress and contributed to discussions on national issues. Authored several legal documents and served in various capacities within the government, influencing legislative development.
Continue ReadingTimothy Leary
A psychologist and author influential in the study of consciousness and the counterculture movement of the 1960s. Advocated for the use of psychedelic substances as a means for self-exploration and spiritual growth. Developed research programs at Harvard involving LSD, facing significant backlash from academic and governmental authorities. Engaged in a high-profile relationship with the counterculture during his tenure, promoting the phrase 'turn on, tune in, drop out'. His writings and lectures challenged conventional views on psychology and society.
Continue ReadingVern Stephens
Played as a shortstop in Major League Baseball from 1941 to 1952. Teams included the St. Louis Browns, Boston Red Sox, and Chicago White Sox. Participated in the 1948 All-Star Game. Achieved a career batting average of .286 and amassed over 1,500 hits. Contributed to the success of his teams both offensively and defensively during his career.
Continue ReadingGianni Rodari
Worked as a teacher and journalist in Italy. Published children's literature that emphasized imagination and creativity. 'The Grammar of Fantasy' provided insights into storytelling techniques. 'The Adventures of Cipollino' presented social issues through the lens of a children's narrative. Authored numerous fables and stories that became classics in children's literature and were translated into multiple languages.
Continue ReadingTed Fujita
Born in Japan, an academic and meteorologist focused on severe weather research. Developed the Fujita scale for measuring tornado intensity, which was widely adopted in meteorology. Contributed to advancements in understanding storm dynamics and the effects of severe weather phenomena. Conducted extensive studies following major tornado events and published significant papers on the subject. Emigrated to the United States, where research and educational activities continued until retirement.
Continue ReadingBob Montana
An American illustrator specialized in comic art. Significant contributions made to the creation of the Archie Comics series. Worked extensively on the characters and storylines that defined the franchise during the 1940s and 1950s. Recognized for developing the visual style that became iconic in teenage comic book culture. Also contributed to comic strips and worked for various publications throughout his career.
Continue ReadingSteve Conway
A prominent British singer, active primarily in the 1940s, gained popularity through a series of hit recordings. Best recognized for a smooth vocal style, became an established figure in the music scene during the post-war era. Recorded numerous songs that resonated with audiences, particularly in the pop and traditional genres. His music often explored themes of love and longing, capturing the essence of the time.
Continue ReadingMarcel-Paul Schützenberger
A mathematician and academic who contributed to combinatorics and formal language theory. Developed the concept of rational series and introduced the Schützenberger group. His research in algebraic structures significantly influenced theoretical computer science. Held academic positions in various institutions and actively published scholarly articles throughout a distinguished career.
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