June 16 birthdays and deaths:

Wernher von Braun

Wernher von Braun was a renowned physicist and engineer, born in 1912 in Wirsitz, Germany. He developed the V-2 rocket for Nazi Germany and later the Saturn V that took humans to the moon for NASA.

Deathyear: 1977

George Stinney

George Stinney Jr. was an African-American teenager who was wrongly convicted of murder in 1944 at age 14. Despite his youth and questionable evidence, Stinney was executed by electric chair in South Carolina's death penalty system. Many believe he was innocent, and efforts have been made to clear his name.

Deathyear: 1944

George Reeves

George Reeves, born George Ursell Reeves, was an American actor and director, best known for playing Superman in the 1950s TV series "The Adventures of Superman".

Deathyear: 1959

Tony Gwynn

Tony Gwynn, a renowned American baseball player and coach, was born in 1960. He played 20 seasons with the San Diego Padres, winning eight batting titles and earning eight Gold Glove Awards.

Deathyear: 2014

Helmut Kohl

Helmut Kohl was a German politician who served as Chancellor of Germany from 1982 to 1998. He led Germany during significant events, including reunification. Kohl's conservative Christian Democratic Union party dominated German politics during his tenure.

Deathyear: 2017

John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough

John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, was a renowned English general and politician who played a key role in the War of the Spanish Succession. Born in 1650, he served as Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire and was a prominent figure in British politics during the 17th and 18th centuries.

Deathyear: 1722

Brian Piccolo

Brian Piccolo was an American football player who played for the Chicago Bears from 1966 to 1969. He was diagnosed with cancer in 1969 and passed away at the age of 26. His courage and charisma inspired his teammate Gale Sayers, who wrote a book about their friendship.

Deathyear: 1970

John Snow

John Snow (1813-1858) was an English physician and epidemiologist who identified the source of the 1854 London cholera outbreak, linking it to a contaminated water pump in Soho. His work in London's sanitation led to significant public health improvements and the development of modern epidemiology.

Deathyear: 1858

Jo Cox

Jo Cox was a British Labour Party politician who served as the Member of Parliament for Batley and Spen from 2015 until her assassination in 2016. She was a strong advocate for human rights, refugees, and the welfare of marginalized communities.

Deathyear: 2016

Kristen Pfaff

Kristen Pfaff was a talented American bass player and songwriter, best known for her work with Hole, where she played bass and contributed songwriting credits. Her distinctive bass lines and emotive vocals helped shape the band's grunge sound.

Deathyear: 1994

Susan Tyrrell

Susan Tyrrell was an American character actress born in 1945. She was known for her striking resemblance to Elizabeth Taylor and her distinctive voice. Tyrrell appeared in numerous films and TV shows, including "Fat City," "For Pete's Sake," and "Fried Green Tomatoes."

Deathyear: 2012

Imre Nagy

Imre Nagy was a Hungarian politician who served as the 3rd Prime Minister of Hungary from 1953-1955. A communist and anti-Stalinist, Nagy advocated for reforms and Hungary's withdrawal from the Warsaw Pact. His reforms were met with Soviet invasion and his eventual execution in 1958.

Deathyear: 1958

Nicholas Ray

Nicholas Ray, a pioneering American filmmaker, directed over 40 films between 1949-1974. Known for his innovative storytelling and cinematography, Ray's films, such as "In a Lonely Place" and "Rebel Without a Cause", showcased his signature blend of drama, action, and social commentary.

Deathyear: 1979

Screaming Lord Sutch

Screaming Lord Sutch, born Screaming Lord Sutch, David Sutch in 1940, was a British singer, songwriter, and politician. He gained fame with his eccentric stage presence and surreal music.

Deathyear: 1999

Harold Alexander, 1st Earl Alexander of Tunis

Harold Alexander, 1st Earl Alexander of Tunis, was a renowned English field marshal and politician. He served as the 17th Governor General of Canada from 1946 to 1952. Born in 1891, Alexander was a decorated war hero and a prominent figure in British politics.

Deathyear: 1969

James Honeyman-Scott

James Honeyman-Scott, a British guitarist and songwriter, was a crucial member of the Pretenders, contributing to their early success with his distinctive guitar riffs and songwriting skills. Tragically, his life was cut short at 22 due to an accidental overdose in 1982.

Deathyear: 1982

Chittaranjan Das

Chitta Ranjan Das, a renowned Indian lawyer and politician, was born in 1870. He was a key figure in the Indian independence movement, advocating for women's rights and workers' welfare. His passion for justice and social reform led to significant contributions to Indian society.

Deathyear: 1925

Gino Mäder

Gino Mäder is a Swiss professional road racing cyclist, born in 1997. He rides for Team Bahrain Victorious. Mäder won the youth classification at the 2015 Tour de l'Avenir and finished second at the 2019 Giro d'Italia.

Deathyear: 2023

Hugh the Great

Hugh the Great (898-956) was a Frankish nobleman and count of Paris. He was a powerful magnate of the Carolingian dynasty, serving as regent for King Lothair I and prominent in Frankish politics. He died in 956, leaving a lasting legacy.

Deathyear: 956

Danding Cojuangco

Eduardo "Eddie" Cojuangco Jr. is a Filipino businessman and politician, born in 1935. He has served as Vice Chair of the Aquino-Cojuangco clan and has held various business and political positions, including Chairman of the Philippine National Oil Company and Senator from 1972 to 1978.

Deathyear: 2020

Marc Bloch

Marc Bloch was a renowned French historian and academic, born in 1886. He was a prominent figure in the Annales School, known for his innovative approaches to historical research and his books on French history.

Deathyear: 1944

John Reith, 1st Baron Reith

John Reith, 1st Baron Reith, was a Scottish broadcaster and co-founder of the BBC. Born in 1889, he played a pivotal role in shaping British broadcasting, serving as the first General Director of the BBC from 1922 to 1932.

Deathyear: 1971

Charles Correa

Charles Correa, a renowned Indian architect and urban planner, pioneered modern Indian architecture. He designed iconic buildings like the National Theatre of India and the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial, blending contextual sensitivity with innovative design.

Deathyear: 2015

Chick Webb

Chick Webb (1905-1939) was a pioneering American drummer and bandleader who led the Chick Webb Orchestra in the 1930s. Known for his energetic and swinging style, Webb's orchestra recorded popular songs like "Ain't Misbehavin'" and "Stompin' at the Savoy".

Deathyear: 1939

Mel Allen

Mel Allen was a legendary American sportscaster and game show host, best known for his iconic voice and work with the New York Yankees and CBS Sports. With a career spanning over five decades, he remained a beloved figure in American sports broadcasting until his passing in 2004.

Deathyear: 1996

Reginald Denny (actor)

Reginald Denny, a renowned English actor, was born in 1891. Known for his versatility, Denny appeared in over 150 films, showcasing his impressive range in genres from dramatic leads to comedic roles.

Deathyear: 1967

Ignatius Kutu Acheampong

Ignatius Kutu Acheampong was a Ghanaian general and politician who served as the 6th head of state of Ghana from 1978 to 1979. He played a key role in the country's military government and was a key figure in Ghanaian politics during the 1970s.

Deathyear: 1979

Thanom Kittikachorn

Thanom Kittikachorn was a Thai field marshal and politician who served as the 10th Prime Minister of Thailand from 1958 to 1959 and again from 1964 to 1973.

Deathyear: 2004

Ezra Fitch

Ezra Fitch, an American lawyer and businessman, co-founded Abercrombie & Fitch in 1892 with his friend David T. Abercrombie. Fitch's business acumen and strategic thinking played a crucial role in the company's early success and growth.

Deathyear: 1930

DuBose Heyward

Dorothy "DuBose" Heyward (1885-1972) was an American author best known for his novels such as "Porgy" (1925) and "Mungo" (1932). His works are set in Charleston, South Carolina, and explore the lives of African American communities during the 1920s and 1930s.

Deathyear: 1940

Ronald Neame

Ronald Neame was a renowned English filmmaker, best known for directing "The Poseidon Adventure" and "Tunneler." As a cinematographer, he lensed "Great Expectations" and "The Third Secret". He also wrote and produced several films throughout his illustrious 60-year career.

Deathyear: 2010

Maurice Duruflé

Maurice Duruflé was a renowned French organist and composer born in 1902. He was known for his innovative and expressive works for organ and choir. His compositions, such as his Requiem, are considered among the most beautiful and beloved in the classical music repertoire.

Deathyear: 1986