What Happened This Year 1968

People Who Died in 1968

Wally Grout

Australian cricketer and wicket-keeper
Born
March 30th, 1927 98 years ago
Died
1968 57 years ago — 41 years old

A prominent cricketer, made significant contributions as a wicket-keeper for Australia during the 1950s and 1960s. Accumulated 139 dismissals in Test matches, ranking among the top wicket-keepers of the era. Played a key role in the Australian team that won the 1958-59 Ashes series against England and participated in the 1960-61 series. His skills behind the stumps were complemented by useful lower-order batting, contributing to numerous victories on the international stage.

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Pieter Oud

Dutch politician, Minister of Finance
Born
December 5th, 1886 138 years ago
Died
1968 57 years ago — 82 years old

Born in the Netherlands in 1886, a prominent figure in Dutch politics and academia. Served as the Minister of Finance from 1945 to 1948, playing a significant role in the post-World War II economic recovery of the Netherlands. Emphasized the importance of economic reforms and was influential in shaping fiscal policies during a critical time in Dutch history. Besides political work, also contributed to the field of history through academic pursuits.

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Norman Brookes

Australian tennis player and champion
Born
November 14th, 1877 147 years ago
Died
1968 57 years ago — 91 years old

Competed in tennis during the early 20th century, achieving significant success in both singles and doubles events. Won the men's singles title at the Australian Open in 1911 and paired with partner Anthony Wilding to capture the men's doubles title at Wimbledon in 1914. The performance in these tournaments established a strong competitive legacy in Australian tennis.

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Tian Han

Chinese playwright and lyricist
Born
March 12th, 1898 127 years ago
Died
1968 57 years ago — 70 years old

Born in 1898, a significant figure in modern Chinese theatre, contributing to the establishment of the Chinese national drama. Worked extensively in the development of the Beijing opera and wrote numerous plays that focused on social issues. Also crafted lyrics for revolutionary songs, including 'March of the Volunteers', which became the national anthem of the People's Republic of China. His artistic expressions reflected a blend of traditional Chinese and modern Western elements.

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Wilfrid Hamel

Canadian businessman and politician
Born
July 16th, 1895 130 years ago
Died
1968 57 years ago — 73 years old

A businessman and politician served as the 35th Mayor of Quebec City. Held the mayoral office during the mid-20th century. Contributed to local development and governance.

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Wanda Krahelska-Filipowicz

Polish politician and resistance fighter
Born
December 15th, 1886 138 years ago
Died
1968 57 years ago — 82 years old

Active in the Polish political scene and a member of the Polish resistance during World War II. Worked with various underground organizations to combat Nazi occupation. Advocated for women's rights and social issues within the resistance framework. Contributed significantly to Polish political life post-war through her involvement in various civic initiatives.

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Sergei Natanovich Bernstein

Mathematician and academic
Born
March 5th, 1880 145 years ago
Died
1968 57 years ago — 88 years old

Born in 1880, a prominent mathematician contributed significantly to several fields including probability theory, functional analysis, and the theory of differential equations. Bernstein studied at Moscow State University and later held academic positions in various institutions. The Bernstein polynomial is a significant development in approximation theory. Later work involved research in statistical mechanics and the foundations of probability.

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Little Willie John

American Rhythm and Blues Singer
Born
November 15th, 1937 87 years ago
Died
1968 57 years ago — 31 years old

Born in 1937, a prominent figure in the Rhythm and Blues genre, distinguished for his powerful vocals. Achieved commercial success during the 1950s and 1960s with hit singles that showcased unique emotional depth. Recorded multiple albums and contributed to the development of soul music from the R&B tradition. Influenced various artists in both R&B and rock music.

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Patricia Jessel

Actress from Hong Kong and England
Born
October 15th, 1920 104 years ago
Died
1968 57 years ago — 48 years old

Patricia Jessel was an actress who gained recognition for her work in television and film during the mid-20th century. She starred alongside notable actors in key productions, showcasing her talent in a variety of roles. Jessel appeared in films such as 'The Man Who Knew Too Much' and gained attention on television with performances in series like 'The Adventures of Robin Hood'. Her contributions to the entertainment industry were significant during a transformative era in television and cinema.

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