What Happened This Year 1931

Born in 1931

Howard Coble

American politician and captain
Born
1931 94 years ago
Died
November 3rd, 2015 10 years ago — 84 years old

Served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from North Carolina from 1985 to 2015. Coble was a captain in the United States Coast Guard Reserve and practiced law prior to entering politics. During tenure in Congress, focused on issues related to transportation and farming. Coble was considered a prominent figure in the Republican Party in North Carolina.

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Ignatius Kutu Acheampong

Ghanaian General and Head of State
Born
1931 94 years ago
Died
June 16th, 1979 46 years ago — 48 years old

Served as the sixth Head of State of Ghana from 1972 to 1978 after leading a military coup. Implemented various policies aimed at promoting economic self-sufficiency and national development. His government faced criticisms and eventual opposition, leading to his overthrow in 1978. Following the coup, faced a court martial and was executed in 1979.

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Vincent Harding

Historian and civil rights scholar
Born
1931 94 years ago
Died
May 19th, 2014 11 years ago — 83 years old

Contributed significantly to the fields of history and religion, focusing on the civil rights movement and African American studies. Played a key role in developing educational curricula that highlighted the contributions of black Americans. Served as a professor at several institutions, including the Iliff School of Theology. Founded the Institute of the Black World's first national conference in 1970, which addressed the challenges of black culture and religion in America.

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Maxine Singer

American biologist and researcher
Born
1931 94 years ago
Died
July 9th, 2024 1 years ago — 93 years old

A prominent biologist contributed significantly to molecular biology and genetics. Served as president of the Carnegie Institution of Washington, guiding research in various scientific fields. Played a key role in understanding the structure and function of DNA, and made important advances in the development of recombinant DNA technology. Held several influential positions in scientific organizations and was actively involved in science policy discussions.

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Hennadiy Udovenko

Ukrainian diplomat and politician
Born
1931 94 years ago
Died
February 12th, 2013 12 years ago — 82 years old

Served as the second Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine from 1994 to 1998. Held important positions in Ukrainian politics and diplomacy following Ukraine's independence in 1991. Played a role in shaping Ukraine's foreign policy and promoting international relations during a transformative period for the country. Engaged in various diplomatic missions and participated in international organizations, contributing to Ukraine's visibility on the global stage.

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Johnny Sheffield

American actor known for Bomba films
Born
1931 94 years ago
Died
October 15th, 2010 15 years ago — 79 years old

An American actor achieved fame for portraying Bomba the Jungle Boy in a series of adventure films during the 1940s and 1950s. The character became iconic in the genre of jungle adventure cinema. Sheffield participated in films like 'Bomba and the Jungle Girl' and 'Bomba on Panther Island.' Following the decline of the Bomba series, transitioned to television and appeared in series such as 'The Adventures of Bomba the Jungle Boy.' Later in life, moved away from acting and became involved in a career in the sugar industry.

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Jean-Jacques Marcel

French footballer with Marseille legacy
Born
1931 94 years ago
Died
October 3rd, 2014 11 years ago — 83 years old

A French footballer played primarily as a midfielder. He spent the majority of his career at Olympique de Marseille, contributing to the team's success during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Marcel participated in international competitions, representing France in various matches. His tenure at Marseille included notable performances that aided the team's prominence in French football. Marcel retired after a successful career on the pitch and transitioned into football management, sharing his experience with newer generations of players.

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Giovanni Reale

Italian philosopher and historian
Born
1931 94 years ago
Died
October 15th, 2014 11 years ago — 83 years old

Engaged in the study of ancient philosophy, particularly the works of Plato and Aristotle. Contributed to the understanding of Western philosophical traditions through historical analysis. Authored several books and papers that explored philosophical concepts and their evolution. Developed a coherent framework for interpreting the relevance of ancient thought in contemporary discussions. Made significant contributions to the revival of interest in classical philosophy in academic circles.

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Juan Goytisolo

Spanish essayist and novelist
Born
1931 94 years ago
Died
June 4th, 2017 8 years ago — 86 years old

Goytisolo was a prominent Spanish writer whose works include novels, essays, and poetry that often addressed themes of identity, exile, and social justice. He published a notable trilogy, 'Requiem por un campesino español,' which explored the Spanish Civil War's impact on rural life. His literary career spanned over six decades, during which he contributed to the Spanish literary canon and engaged with various literary movements. Goytisolo lived in exile for many years, contributing to his perspective on cultural and political issues. His works frequently reflected a deep concern for the marginalized and oppressed.

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