What Happened This Year 1955
Born in 1955
Grete Faremo
Served as Minister of Defence in Norway from 2013 to 2015 and played a significant role in various political capacities within the Labour Party. Managed the Norwegian Defence Ministry during a period that included discussions on Norway's involvement in international military operations. Worked extensively in the government, holding multiple ministerial positions, including Minister of Justice and Minister of Labour. Contributed to the political discourse on defense, security, and social issues in Norwegian society.
Continue ReadingArtemy Troitsky
Born in 1955, contributed to the Russian music scene as a journalist and critic. Played a significant role in popularizing rock music in Russia during the late 20th century. Served as a professor at various institutions, sharing expertise on the intersections of music and culture. Authored several books, providing insights into the evolution of Russian pop culture and journalism. Worked with multiple media outlets, enhancing the understanding of contemporary music trends in Russia.
Continue ReadingMati Laur
Born in 1955, this historian focused on the study of 20th-century political history, particularly the impact of Soviet rule in Estonia. Authored several scholarly works that examined the historical narrative of Estonian identity and statehood. Contributed significantly to the field of historical research through teaching and public lectures. Played an important role in promoting historical scholarship in Estonia.
Continue ReadingEd Fast
Graduated from the University of Alberta with a degree in law. Worked as a lawyer before entering politics. Served as a Member of Parliament from 2006 to 2015, representing Abbotsford in British Columbia. Held the position of Minister of International Trade from 2013 to 2015. Contributed to trade negotiations, enhancing Canada's economic relations with other countries.
Continue ReadingMary Schapiro
An American lawyer and politician served as the 29th Chair of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission from 2009 to 2012. Played a significant role in implementing reforms following the 2008 financial crisis, focusing on investor protection and improving regulatory oversight. Previously served as the chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission from 2001 to 2003, appointed by President George W. Bush. Contributed to the establishment of the Trading and Markets Division within the SEC and was instrumental in the launch of new rules for regulation. Held various positions in financial regulatory organizations and was involved in numerous initiatives aimed at enhancing financial transparency.
Continue ReadingTim Bray
A Canadian software developer and businessman, contributed significantly to the development of web technology. Helped develop XML and served as a co-founder of the OpenText Corporation. Played a vital role in the creation of the early web standards and was influential in the development of web APIs. Helped launch the Amazon Web Services (AWS) ecosystem, enhancing cloud computing services. Engaged in various initiatives aimed at improving technology accessibility.
Continue ReadingMichel Platini
A prominent footballer and manager, played for AS Nancy, Saint-Étienne, and Juventus during the career. Achieved significant success as a player, winning the Ballon d'Or three times consecutively from 1983 to 1985. After retirement, served as manager of the French national team and later directed UEFA from 2007 to 2015, where oversaw the expansion of the European Championship. Known for leadership in football governance.
Continue ReadingChristine Orengo
A prominent academic and educator, contributed significantly to the field of bioinformatics and computational biology. Played a key role in the development of databases and tools for protein structure analysis. Engaged in teaching and mentoring students, fostering research in scientific disciplines. Published numerous papers in high-impact journals, advancing the understanding of proteins and their interactions.
Continue ReadingGreen Gartside
A singer-songwriter and guitarist, contributions to music primarily evolved through the band Scritti Politti. Originated in the late 1970s, the group transitioned from post-punk to a more polished pop sound in the 1980s. Achieved commercial success with the album 'Cupid & Psyche 85', which featured hits like 'Wood Beez (Pray Like Aretha Franklin)' and 'The Word Girl'. Later works continued to explore themes of love, politics, and identity. Gartside's style incorporated elements of reggae, funk, and pop, influencing other artists in the genre.
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