What Happened This Year 1993

People Who Died in 1993

Chris Hani

South African activist and politician
Born
June 28th, 1942 82 years ago
Died
April 10th, 1993 31 years ago — 50 years old

Played a crucial role in the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa. Served as the general secretary of the South African Communist Party and a leader in the African National Congress's armed wing, Umkhonto we Sizwe. Advocated for democratic rights and social justice, contributing significantly to the negotiations that ended apartheid. Assassinated in 1993, leading to widespread protests and calls for peace during a tense political period.

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Wallace Stegner

American novelist and essayist
Born
February 18th, 1909 116 years ago
Died
April 13th, 1993 31 years ago — 84 years old

Born in 1909, a prominent American novelist, short story writer, and essayist. Associated with the Western U.S., spent significant time in California. Works often reflected themes of nature and the American experience. Published several novels while also contributing essays that discussed environmentalism and the cultural history of the West. Played a significant role in establishing creative writing programs at universities, notably at Stanford University.

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Leslie Charteris

Author of The Saint series
Born
May 12th, 1907 117 years ago
Died
April 15th, 1993 31 years ago — 85 years old

An English author and screenwriter, primarily recognized for creating the character Simon Templar, also known as The Saint. The character debuted in the 1928 novel 'Meet The Saint' and gained significant popularity through a series of books, television adaptations, and films. Works featured action-adventure themes, blending crime fiction with a touch of humor. The Saint was portrayed in various adaptations, with notable portrayals by Roger Moore in the television series during the 1960s and 1970s. Charteris contributed to the narrative style of the detective genre with a charismatic protagonist who operated outside traditional law enforcement. Throughout his career, Charteris wrote more than 30 novels and short stories centered around The Saint, solidifying a lasting legacy in the realm of detective fiction.

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John Tuzo Wilson

Geophysicist; developed plate tectonics
Born
October 24th, 1908 116 years ago
Died
April 15th, 1993 31 years ago — 84 years old

A prominent Canadian geophysicist and geologist contributed significantly to the understanding of plate tectonics. Proposed the theory of transform faults, enhancing the comprehension of tectonic processes. Worked extensively on the interactions between Earth's lithosphere and asthenosphere, influencing geological research and education. Served as a professor at the University of Toronto and held various notable positions within geological societies.

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Gamal Hamdan

Egyptian geographer and scholar
Born
February 2nd, 1928 97 years ago
Died
April 17th, 1993 31 years ago — 65 years old

Contributed significantly to the field of geography, focusing on the Arab world and particularly Egypt. Authored several influential works, including 'The Character of Egypt', which explores the geography, history, and culture of Egypt. Engaged in extensive research that examined the relationship between geography and society, influencing subsequent studies in the region. Also served as a professor at Cairo University, where many students studied geography under his guidance.

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Turgut Özal

Turkish engineer and politician, 8th president
Born
October 13th, 1927 97 years ago
Died
April 17th, 1993 31 years ago — 65 years old

An engineer and politician, served as the 8th president of Turkey from 1989 until death in 1993. Held significant roles in the Turkish government prior to presidency, including Minister of State and Prime Minister. Advocated for economic liberalization and modernization of the country, promoting policies that opened Turkey's economy to foreign investment and trade. Implemented several reforms in various sectors, aimed at enhancing Turkey's global standing.

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George S. Mickelson

American politician, 28th Governor of South Dakota
Born
1941 84 years ago
Died
April 19th, 1993 31 years ago — 52 years old

Served as the 28th Governor of South Dakota from 1991 until death in 1993. Worked as a lawyer before entering politics, representing the interests of South Dakota residents. Involved in various initiatives aimed at promoting economic development and education within the state. His tenure was characterized by efforts to enhance job opportunities and improve state infrastructure, focusing on issues vital to the local population.

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David Koresh

American cult leader and Branch Davidian
Born
August 17th, 1959 65 years ago
Died
April 19th, 1993 31 years ago — 33 years old

Led the Branch Davidians, a religious sect in Waco, Texas. Advocated for his interpretations of the Bible and claimed to be the final prophet. Involved in a 51-day standoff with federal law enforcement in 1993. The standoff ended when the compound was consumed by fire, resulting in the deaths of many followers, including Koresh.

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Cantinflas

Mexican actor in 'Ahijados de la Muerte'
Born
August 12th, 1911 113 years ago
Died
April 20th, 1993 31 years ago — 81 years old

A prominent Mexican actor, producer, and screenwriter, renowned for creating the comedic character Cantinflas. This character became a staple of Mexican cinema, combining physical comedy with clever wordplay. Gained international fame through films such as 'Los Three Amigos', 'A Task For The Departed', and 'Around the World in 80 Days', which earned an Academy Award for Best Picture. Sought to address societal issues through humor and satire in films.

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