What Happened This Year 1945

Born in 1945

Gary Williams

Basketball coach with NCAA championship
Born
March 4th, 1945 80 years ago

Coached the University of Maryland basketball team from 1989 to 2002. Led the Terrapins to victory in the 2002 NCAA Tournament, securing the national championship. Prior to coaching, played college basketball at the University of Maryland and began a coaching career as an assistant before taking on head coaching roles at multiple institutions, including Boston University and American University. Williams was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013.

Continue Reading

Tommy Svensson

Football manager and player in Sweden
Born
March 4th, 1945 80 years ago

This individual played for and managed several teams throughout a football career. Achievements include participation in the 1994 FIFA World Cup as the head coach of the Swedish national team, leading Sweden to a third-place finish. Prior to coaching, played as a midfielder for multiple clubs including GAIS and IFK Göteborg, contributing to their successes in the late 1960s and 1970s.

Continue Reading

Angelo Castro Jr.

Filipino actor and journalist
Born
March 6th, 1945 80 years ago
Died
2012 13 years ago — 67 years old

An actor and journalist who contributed significantly to Philippine media. Worked as a news anchor for ABS-CBN and hosted the influential television program 'The World Tonight.' Also recognized for acting roles in various films and television dramas. Contributed to the development of news broadcasting in the country and played a crucial role during the Martial Law period in the Philippines.

Continue Reading

Arthur Lee

Singer-songwriter and musician
Born
March 7th, 1945 80 years ago
Died
August 3rd, 2006 18 years ago — 61 years old

Arthur Lee was an American singer-songwriter and musician, noted for contributions to the rock band Love. The band gained prominence with the 1967 album 'Forever Changes', which is often labeled as one of the greatest albums of all time. Lee's work combined elements of folk, rock, and psychedelia. He was a pioneering figure in the music scene of the 1960s. Lee faced legal challenges and spent time in prison during the 1990s but continued to perform and record music until his passing in 2006.

Continue Reading

Elizabeth Moon

Author of military science fiction novels
Born
March 7th, 1945 80 years ago

Born in 1945, this individual served as a lieutenant in the United States Navy before pursuing a career in writing. The works often blend military themes with science fiction and fantasy elements. The earlier writings began to gain recognition in the 1990s, leading to significant influence in the genre.

Continue Reading

Anselm Kiefer

German painter and sculptor, influenced by themes of history
Born
March 8th, 1945 80 years ago

Born in 1945 in Germany, Kiefer studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich. The work often explores German history, mythology, and the relationship between nature and art. Kiefer’s distinctive style incorporates materials like straw, ash, and lead, creating textured, layered works. Major exhibitions include the 1980 Venice Biennale and a retrospective at the Guggenheim Museum in New York. Kiefer’s pieces often confront the weight of historical narratives and are characterized by their monumental scale and somber palettes.

Continue Reading

Micky Dolenz

Singer and actor from The Monkees
Born
March 8th, 1945 80 years ago

Born in 1945, this American musician and actor rose to fame as the drummer and lead vocalist of the pop band The Monkees. The band was formed in the 1960s for a television show, which aired from 1966 to 1968. Their music, characterized by catchy melodies and harmonies, produced several hit songs. The group gained considerable popularity, becoming a cultural phenomenon during their time. In addition to music, engagements in acting, both in television and stage, were also prominent. Numerous reunion tours and projects revitalized interest in the band and its legacy over the decades.

Continue Reading

Dennis Rader

Serial killer and BTK murderer
Born
March 9th, 1945 80 years ago

A former compliance officer, committed a series of murders in Kansas between 1974 and 1991. Rader evaded capture for decades, taunting law enforcement and the media with letters detailing his crimes. He was arrested in 2005 after DNA evidence linked him to the murders. Rader was convicted in 2006 and received ten consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole.

Continue Reading

Robert Calvert

English singer-songwriter and playwright
Born
March 9th, 1945 80 years ago
Died
August 14th, 1988 36 years ago — 43 years old

An English singer-songwriter and playwright, contributions spanned music and theater. In the early 1970s, became a member of the space rock band Hawkwind, known for albums including "Doremi Fasol Latido" and "Warrior on the Edge of Time." Following his work with Hawkwind, embarked on a solo career with albums such as "Captain Lockheed and the Starfighters," which displayed unique storytelling and musical style. Also engaged in theatrical projects, writing plays that often incorporated elements of his musical background.

Continue Reading