August 15 birthdays and deaths:

Sheikh Mujibur Rahman

Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was a Bengali politician who played a crucial role in the country's struggle for independence. He served as the 1st President of Bangladesh from 1972 until his assassination in 1975.

Deathyear: 1975

Gerd Müller

Gerd Müller, nicknamed "Der Bomber," is a German former footballer who played for Bayern Munich and the West German national team. He won the Golden Boot at the 1970 World Cup and is one of the most prolific strikers in the history of the sport.

Deathyear: 2021

René Magritte

René Magritte was a pioneering Surrealist painter known for his thought-provoking and often irreverent works that challenged reality and perception. Born in Lessines, Belgium in 1898, his unusual compositions and clever use of language left a lasting impact on the art world.

Deathyear: 1967

Will Rogers

Will Rogers, a Cherokee-American actor, comedian, and screenwriter, was born in 1879. He was known for his wit, wisdom, and folksy humor in his vaudeville acts, films, and newspaper columns.

Deathyear: 1935

Viktor Tsoi

Viktor Tsoi was a Russian musician and actor born in 1962. He was the lead singer of the rock band Kino, known for their poetic and socially conscious lyrics. Tsoi's charismatic stage presence and distinctive voice helped Kino become a symbol of Soviet underground rock movement.

Deathyear: 1990

Macbeth, King of Scotland

Macbeth, a Scottish nobleman and general, is spurred on by his ambitious wife Lady Macbeth to assassin King Duncan, seizing the throne. Corruption and paranoia consume him, ultimately leading to his downfall.

Deathyear: 1057

Robert Trump

Robert Trump, a lesser-known sibling of Donald Trump, is a successful American real-estate developer and executive. Born in 1948, he has built a reputation for his shrewd business deals and philanthropic efforts.

Deathyear: 2020

Clay Shaw

Clay Shaw was an American businessman and owner of the Pontchartrain Hotel in New Orleans. Born in 1913, Shaw was implicated in the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, and his trial in 1969 became a media sensation.

Deathyear: 1975

Alexios I Komnenos

Alexios I Komnenos (1048-1118) ruled the Byzantine Empire from 1081 to 1118. He restored imperial power and promoted administrative and military reforms. His reign is often referred to as the "Komnenian Renaissance" due to the cultural and artistic flourishing that occurred during his time.

Deathyear: 1118

Honorius (emperor)

Honorius, Roman Emperor from 393 to 423, was the youngest son of Theodosius I. He was known for his incompetence and indecision, leading to the fall of Rome and the eventual decline of the Western Roman Empire during his 30-year reign.

Deathyear: 423

Roland

Roland, a legendary Frankish warrior, is renowned for his bravery and tactical prowess. As a commander in the Battle of Roncesvalles, he was considered the greatest warrior in the army of Charlemagne, leading the rearguard against the Basque warriors in 778 CE.

Deathyear: 778

Stephen I of Hungary

Stephen I, also known as Saint Stephen, was the first king of Hungary, reigning from 1000 to 1038. He centralized the power, introduced Christianity, and established the Hungarian Church. He is remembered as a unifying and Christianizing force in the country's early history.

Deathyear: 1038

Philippa of Hainault

Philippa of Hainault was the Queen consort of Edward III of England, married in 1328 at the age of 14. She bore him 12 children, including the Black Prince, and played a significant role in supporting her husband's military campaigns during the Hundred Years' War.

Deathyear: 1369

Jerry Wexler

Jerry Wexler, a pioneering music producer, collaborated with Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, and others. His distinct production style merged soul, R&B, and rock, shaping the sound of 1960s and 1970s music.

Deathyear: 2008

August Schellenberg

August Schellenberg was a Canadian actor of German and Dutch descent, born in 1936. He had a prolific career in film, television, and theatre, notable for his portrayal of Henry VIII in the mini-series "Henry VIII" and Inspector Harry Truman in the TV series "Da Vinci's Inquest".

Deathyear: 2013

Julian Bond

Julian Bond was a prominent figure in the US civil rights movement, serving as a leader of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and a politician, representing Georgia in the US House of Representatives from 1965 to 1987.

Deathyear: 2015

Rick Rypien

Rick Rypien was a Canadian professional ice hockey player who played for the Vancouver Canucks and Winnipeg Jets from 2005 to 2011. He was known for his physical play, speed, and tenacious checking. Rypien's NHL career was cut short due to his struggles with depression and anxiety.

Deathyear: 2011

Lei Feng

Lei Feng, a Chinese soldier, lived a selfless life. Born in 1940, he volunteered for military duty, sacrificing personal comfort for the greater good. His generosity and kindness inspired millions, earning him the nickname "China's Saint."

Deathyear: 1962

Hamid Gul

Hamid Gul was a Pakistani general and former Director-General of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Born on June 1, 1936, he played a significant role in Pakistan's military operations and was accused of supporting militant groups, including Al-Qaeda and the Taliban.

Deathyear: 2015

Paul Lukas

Paul Lukas was a Hungarian-American actor, born in Hungary in 1887, who rose to fame in the 1930s and 1940s. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Albert Lorry in the 1943 film "Watch on the Rhine".

Deathyear: 1971

Wiley Post

Wiley Post was an American pilot and adventurer who set multiple records for speed and distance. He was the first to fly solo around the world in 1933. He also invented the high-altitude pressure suit and discovered the value of oxygen for high-altitude flight.

Deathyear: 1935

Paul Signac

Paul Signac was a French Post-Impressionist painter and author, known for his bold use of color and geometric forms. Born in 1863, he was a key figure in the development of Pointillism, alongside Georges Seurat.

Deathyear: 1935

Harry Harrison (writer)

Harry Harrison (1925-present) is a renowned American author and illustrator, celebrated for his science fiction and futurist works. He's penned iconic series like "Deathworld" and "West of Eden", as well as numerous standalone novels. A true visionary, Harrison's writing has captivated readers for decades.

Deathyear: 2012

Korechika Anami

Korechika Anami was a prominent Japanese general and politician, serving as the 54th Japanese Minister of the Army from 1944 to 1945. A prominent figure in the Imperial Japanese Army, he played a key role in Japan's participation in World War II.

Deathyear: 1945

Libius Severus

Libius Severus was a Roman emperor from 461-465 CE. Born in 420 CE, he was the emperor chosen by the eastern magister militum, Ricimer, after the assassination of Majorian. His reign was marked by internal conflicts and struggles for power.

Deathyear: 465

Isabella of Portugal, Queen of Castile

Infanta Isabella of Portugal, Queen of Castile and León, was born in 1428. She married Ferdinand II of Aragon and they united their kingdoms, creating a powerful and stable Spain.

Deathyear: 1496

Thomas Kyd

Thomas Kyd was a renowned English playwright, born in 1558. He is best known for his tragedy "The Spanish Tragedy", which heavily influenced the development of the revenge tragedy genre.

Deathyear: 1594

Minoru Genda

Minoru Genda, a renowned Japanese general, pilot, and politician, was born in 1904. He served as a pilot in the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II, later becoming a prominent politician and serving as Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister.

Deathyear: 1989

Rosalía Mera

Rosalía Mera, a pioneering Spanish businesswoman, co-founded Inditex and Zara with Amancio Ortega. Born in 1944, she played a crucial role in transforming the fashion retail industry, revolutionizing the way people shop. Her entrepreneurial spirit and vision helped shape the global fashion landscape.

Deathyear: 2013

Joseph Joachim

Joseph Joachim was a renowned Hungarian violinist, composer, and conductor born in 1831. He was a student of Ferdinand Laub and Ignaz Schuppanzigh, and his playing style was characterized by lyricism, precision, and emotional depth.

Deathyear: 1907

Yesün Temür (Yuan dynasty)

Yesün Temür was the last Yuan emperor, reigning from 1323 to 1328. Born in 1293, he was the son of Köko Temür, and his reign marked the decline of the Yuan dynasty. He was overthrown by Prime Minister Toghon Temür.

Deathyear: 1328

Hyacinth of Poland

Saint Hyacinth (1185-1257) was a Polish Dominican priest who served as papal legate and worked to unify the Church in Eastern Europe. He was known for his missionary work, establishing a network of schools, hospitals, and churches throughout Poland and Lithuania.

Deathyear: 1257

Mahadev Desai

Mahadev Desai was an Indian freedom activist and author who worked closely with Mahatma Gandhi. Born in 1892, he was a key figure in India's non-cooperation movement, serving as Gandhi's secretary and biographer.

Deathyear: 1942

John Cameron Swayze

John Cameron Swayze, born 1906, was an American journalist and actor. He contributed to the entertainment industry, showcasing his versatility in both fields. Swayze's career spanned radio, film, and television, leaving a lasting impact on American media. His legacy continues to inspire future generations.

Deathyear: 1995

Sune Bergström

Sune Bergström was a Swedish biochemist and academic who was born in 1916. He was a Nobel laureate in Physiology or Medicine for his research on the mechanisms of blood clotting and the discovery of prostaglandins.

Deathyear: 2004

Artur Schnabel

Artur Schnabel was a renowned Polish-German pianist and composer, born in 1882. A prominent figure in the early 20th century musical scene, he was known for his interpretations of Beethoven and Brahms, and was praised for his expressive and nuanced playing style.

Deathyear: 1951

Ludwig Prandtl

Ludwig Prandtl, a renowned German physicist and engineer, made groundbreaking contributions to fluid dynamics, aerodynamics, and hydrodynamics. His work on boundary layers and turbulence revolutionized the understanding of fluid flow, influencing aircraft design, shipbuilding, and many other fields.

Deathyear: 1953

Marin Marais

Marin Marais, a renowned French viol player and composer, was born in 1656. He was the son of a composer and was heavily influenced by the French Baroque period. Marais' compositions, primarily for the viol, were known for their technically challenging and harmonically rich contrapuntal style.

Deathyear: 1728