What Happened This Year 1938

Born in 1938

Peter Westbury

Race Car Driver, 1968 British Saloon Champion
Born
1938 88 years ago
Died
December 7th, 2015 10 years ago — 77 years old

A race car driver competed primarily in British motorsport. Achieved significant recognition during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Won the British Saloon Car Championship in 1968 driving for the Ford team. Participated in various racing events, including the European Touring Car Championship and the British GT Championship, gaining a reputation for skill and competitiveness on the track. Continued involvement in motorsport beyond driving, including roles in car preparation and racing events.

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Robert Hughes

Author and art critic, wrote 'The Shock of the New'
Born
1938 88 years ago
Died
August 6th, 2012 14 years ago — 74 years old

An Australian-American author and critic, contributed significantly to art criticism and cultural commentary. Served as the art critic for Time magazine for three decades. Published several influential books, including 'The Shock of the New,' which examined the evolution of modern art. His works often included sharp analyses of contemporary art and culture, blending personal narrative with insightful critique. Received several awards for contributions to art criticism and literature, establishing a prominent voice in the field.

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LeeRoy Yarbrough

Race car driver with NASCAR success
Born
1938 88 years ago
Died
December 7th, 1984 41 years ago — 46 years old

Achieved significant success in NASCAR during the 1960s. Won the 1969 Daytona 500, one of the premier events in American stock car racing. Secured victories in the Grand National series, finishing second in the championship standings in 1968. Competed for several teams including Junior Johnson & Associates and recorded multiple wins in various NASCAR events. Yarbrough's racing career was marked by numerous achievements before he retired from racing in the 1970s.

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Evagoras Pallikarides

Cypriot activist and political figure
Born
1938 88 years ago
Died
March 14th, 1957 69 years ago — 19 years old

An influential figure in the struggle for the independence of Cyprus, this individual was involved in the anti-colonial movement against British rule. Active in the 1950s, contributed to organizing protests and advocating for union with Greece. Arrested and executed by the British government, became a symbol of resistance and heroism for Cypriots. His legacy continues to inspire nationalist sentiments in Cyprus.

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Valentin Mankin

Ukrainian sailor and Olympic champion
Born
1938 88 years ago
Died
June 1st, 2014 12 years ago — 76 years old

A prominent sailor from Ukraine, played in multiple Olympic Games and won medals in sailing events. Achieved significant success at the 1960 and 1964 Olympics, securing gold medals in the Flying Dutchman class. Contributed to the development of sailing in Ukraine and served as a coach promoting the sport after retirement. His achievements in competitive sailing earned recognition within the international sailing community.

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Thomas M. Cover

Information theorist and author
Born
1938 88 years ago
Died
March 26th, 2012 14 years ago — 74 years old

Contributed significantly to information theory and statistical learning. Co-authored the influential textbook 'Elements of Information Theory' with Joy A. Thomas, which became a foundational text in the field. Served as a professor at Stanford University, where research focused on topics such as pattern recognition, data compression, and statistical inference. Engaged in work that explored the convergence of learning algorithms and information theory principles.

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Renzo Pasolini

Italian motorcycle racer and champion
Born
1938 88 years ago
Died
May 20th, 1973 53 years ago — 35 years old

A prominent motorcycle racer, achieved significant success in the 1960s. Secured multiple victories in Grand Prix motorcycle racing, particularly in the 250cc and 350cc classes. His racing career included notable performances with the MV Agusta factory team. Pasolini competed vigorously in the championship series and established a reputation for skill and speed on the track. Tragically, his life ended in a racing accident during the 1973 season, marking a somber moment in motorcycle racing history.

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Dick Rutan

Military aviator and record-setting pilot
Born
1938 88 years ago
Died
May 3rd, 2024 2 years ago — 86 years old

A military aviator and aerospace engineer, contributed significantly to aviation history. Gained prominence as the pilot of Voyager, the first aircraft to fly around the world non-stop without refueling. This historic flight took place in December 1986, covering approximately 26,000 miles in 9 days, 3 minutes, and 44 seconds. After retiring from the U.S. Air Force, engaged in various aerospace projects and played a vital role in developing new aircraft technologies. Rutan also authored multiple aviation-focused publications, providing insights into his experiences and innovations in flight.

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Hiroaki Aoki

Wrestler and founder of Benihana
Born
1938 88 years ago
Died
July 10th, 2008 18 years ago — 70 years old

A businessman and wrestler, established a globally recognized restaurant chain. Founded Benihana in 1964, which combined dining with theatrical cooking performances. Known for introducing Japanese cuisine to the Western audience through an innovative dining experience. Achieved considerable success with the franchise, expanding locations internationally. In addition to business ventures, participated in professional wrestling events.

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