What Happened This Year 2020
People Who Died in 2020
Margaret Burbidge
Contributed significantly to the understanding of stellar nucleosynthesis and galaxy formation. Played a pivotal role in the development of the Burbidge-Strong-McClure model, which explains the formation of elements in stars. Served as a professor at several prominent institutions, including the University of California, San Diego, and the University of California, Berkeley. Actively participated in numerous scientific organizations and initiatives, advocating for women in science throughout her career. Collaborated with notable scientists to produce influential research papers that shaped modern astrophysics.
Continue ReadingEleanor Sokoloff
A distinguished pianist and educator, contributions spanned performance and teaching, shaping many musicians. Served as a faculty member at Temple University's Boyer College of Music and Dance, where numerous successful students emerged. Continued to perform throughout her career, sharing her love of music. Recognized in the music community for dedication to intercultural musical education.
Continue ReadingFred Singer
This physicist emigrated from Austria to the United States, contributing significantly to atmospheric and space sciences. Worked at institutions including NASA and the University of Virginia. Instrumental in promoting the idea that climate change is not primarily driven by human activities. Published numerous articles and books, influencing discussions around environmental policy and scientific research.
Continue ReadingSoumaïla Cissé
An engineer and politician from Mali entered politics in the 1990s. Served as the Minister of Finance and played an influential role in the formation of the Malian political landscape. Acted as the leader of the Union for the Republic and Democracy party. Candidated for the presidency several times, including in 2013 and 2020, highlighting commitments to democracy and governance. Held important roles in various national and international organizations.
Continue ReadingJack Steinberger
Contributed significantly to particle physics as an academic and researcher. Played a key role in the discovery of the muon neutrino in experiments conducted at CERN. His work on weak interactions in particle physics has been highly influential in the field. Awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1988, sharing the honor with two other physicists for contributions to the understanding of the structure of matter.
Continue ReadingPhilip Warren Anderson
A prominent physicist, contributed to condensed matter physics and played a crucial role in the development of the theory of localization. His research addressed disordered systems and introduced methods for understanding various phenomena in solid-state physics. Published extensively in scientific journals, influencing future research in the field. Received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1977 for contributions to the understanding of the electronic structure of magnetic and disordered systems. Affiliated with institutions such as Princeton University throughout an extensive academic career.
Continue ReadingBhakti Charu Swami
A prominent leader within the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), served as a senior disciple of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Played a significant role in promoting Krishna consciousness worldwide, especially in India and the West. Wrote several books on spiritual philosophy, including commentaries on the Bhagavad-gita and the Srimad Bhagavatam. Engaged in numerous community services and outreach programs to spread the teachings of Krishna.
Continue ReadingChetan Chauhan
An accomplished cricketer and politician, contributed significantly to Indian cricket before transitioning to a political career. Played as an opening batsman for the national team during the 1970s and 1980s, participating in 40 Test matches from 1969 to 1986. Scored over 2,000 runs in Test cricket. After retiring from cricket, engaged in politics, serving as a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Held various administrative positions, including Minister of State for Education in the Government of Uttar Pradesh.
Continue ReadingJohn Baldessari
A prominent figure in conceptual art, created works that combined images and text, challenging traditional notions of art. Developed a unique style incorporating photography, painting, and installation. Notable pieces include the series 'Cremation Project' and 'I Will Not Make Any More Boring Art', which illustrated a departure from conventional aesthetics. Contributions to art education were significant, with teaching stints at various institutions.
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