What Happened This Year 1923

Born in 1923

Solly Hemus

Baseball player and manager for Cardinals
Born
April 17th, 1923 101 years ago
Died
2017 8 years ago — 94 years old

Played as a shortstop in Major League Baseball, debuting in 1949 with the St. Louis Cardinals. Transitioned to coaching and later served as a manager for the Cardinals during the 1960s. His tenure included both playing and managing experiences, showcasing a strong presence in the league.

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Lindsay Anderson

English director and screenwriter
Born
April 17th, 1923 101 years ago
Died
August 30th, 1994 30 years ago — 71 years old

An English director and screenwriter, played a significant role in British cinema. Featured prominently in the British New Wave movement, directed the acclaimed film 'If....' in 1968, which explored themes of rebellion in a British boarding school. Played a key part in the film 'O Lucky Man!' in 1973, which combined social commentary with absurdist humor. Worked extensively in theater, directing influential stage productions.

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Neville McNamara

Air Marshal and WWII veteran
Born
April 17th, 1923 101 years ago
Died
May 7th, 2014 10 years ago — 91 years old

Served in the Royal Australian Air Force, playing a significant role during World War II. Contributed to air operations and command leadership in various capacities. After the war, advanced to the rank of Air Marshal, overseeing significant developments in the Australian Air Force. Held key positions that influenced aviation policy and air defense in Australia. Retrieved expertise in military strategy and aviation management throughout a lengthy career.

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Gianni Raimondi

Italian lyric tenor, La Traviata
Born
April 17th, 1923 101 years ago
Died
2008 17 years ago — 85 years old

A celebrated lyric tenor, renowned for roles in various operas, particularly excelled in performances of La Traviata, Tosca, and Rigoletto. His career spanned several decades, during which he performed at prestigious venues worldwide, including La Scala in Milan and the Metropolitan Opera in New York. Alongside a rich solo career, he collaborated extensively with esteemed conductors and musicians, contributing to numerous recordings that showcased his vocal artistry. Teaching also played a significant role in his life, mentoring the next generation of opera singers. His contributions to the field of opera earned recognition and admiration.

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Harry Reasoner

American journalist and television anchor
Born
April 17th, 1923 101 years ago
Died
August 6th, 1991 33 years ago — 68 years old

A prominent journalist, contributed significantly to American television news. Anchored CBS Evening News alongside Dan Rather and was a founding anchor of ABC's 20/20. Gained recognition for in-depth reporting and investigative journalism. Played an instrumental role in covering major events, including the Vietnam War and the Watergate scandal. Worked at various major news outlets, leaving a substantial legacy in broadcast journalism.

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Mother Angelica

Roman Catholic religious leader and founder
Born
April 20th, 1923 101 years ago
Died
March 27th, 2016 8 years ago — 92 years old

A significant figure in American Catholicism, Mother Angelica founded the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) in 1981, which became the largest religious television network in the world. She established a community of nuns and led various evangelistic efforts. As a host of programs on EWTN, she discussed faith and spirituality, attracting a wide audience. She authored several books and was an influential voice in contemporary Catholic discourse until her passing in 2016.

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Tito Puente

American drummer and bandleader
Born
April 20th, 1923 101 years ago
Died
June 1st, 2000 24 years ago — 77 years old

A prominent figure in Latin music, contributed significantly to the popularization of salsa music. Toured extensively and released numerous albums. Acclaimed for energetic performances and innovative arrangements that blended Afro-Cuban rhythms with jazz and other genres. Received several awards, including Grammy Awards, celebrating remarkable contributions to music.

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Irene Lieblich

Painter and illustrator of landscapes
Born
April 20th, 1923 101 years ago
Died
December 28th, 2008 16 years ago — 85 years old

Born in Poland and later relocating to the United States, a significant career as a painter and illustrator unfolded. Focused primarily on landscapes, works often reflected the interplay of light and color. Contributed to various exhibitions and illustrated books, combining artistic intuition with technical skill. Active in the art community, participating in local and national art shows, gaining recognition for distinctive style.

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John Mortimer

English lawyer and author, Rumpole series
Born
April 21st, 1923 101 years ago
Died
January 16th, 2009 16 years ago — 85 years old

An English lawyer and author contributed significantly to literature and legal discourse. Mortimer served as a barrister, specializing in criminal law, and gained prominence through the creation of the character Horace Rumpole, featured in a series of stories and television adaptations. These works depicted the life of a defense barrister navigating the complexities of the legal system while providing satirical commentary. In addition to fiction, Mortimer wrote plays and screenplays, with works performed on stage and television. His legal experiences informed his writing, combining humor and insight into the legal profession.

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