June 17 birthdays and deaths:

Rodney King

Rodney King was an African American motorist who was brutally beaten by Los Angeles police officers in 1991, sparking widespread outrage and protests. His beating was captured on video, leading to worldwide attention and calls for police reform.

Deathyear: 2012

Gloria Vanderbilt

Gloria Vanderbilt was a multifaceted American icon, renowned for her art, writing, and fashion design. Born in 1924, she was a heiress and socialite who parlayed her privilege into a successful career as an artist, author, actress, and designer, enduring as a cultural icon of the 20th century.

Deathyear: 2019

Mumtaz Mahal

Mumtaz Mahal, a beautiful and influential Mughal princess, was born in 1593. She was the beloved wife of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan and the mother of their 14 children.

Deathyear: 1631

Uthman

Uthman ibn Affan (579-656 CE) was the third Rashidun Caliph and a close companion of the Prophet Muhammad. He was known for his generosity, kindness, and humility, and his caliphate saw significant expansion of Islamic territory and a flourishing of Islamic culture.

Deathyear: 656

Cyd Charisse

Cyd Charisse was a legendary American actress and dancer, best known for her roles in the classic MGM musicals "Singin' in the Rain" and "The Band Wagon". Her elegant style and precise dance technique captured the hearts of audiences worldwide.

Deathyear: 2008

Mohamed Morsi

Mohamed Morsi was a prominent Egyptian politician and professor born in 1951. As a leading figure in the Muslim Brotherhood, he became the first democratically elected President of Egypt in 2012, following the Egyptian Revolution of 2011.

Deathyear: 2019

Jack Parsons

Jack Parsons was a brilliant American chemist and engineer, born in 1914, known for his contributions to rocketry and pyrotechnics. He played a pivotal role in developing the first American-designed and built rocket engine, the Meteors, and was a pioneer in the field of liquid-fueled rockets.

Deathyear: 1952

Jeff Chandler

"Jeff Chandler (1918-1961) was an American actor of film and television, known for his rugged good looks and rugged performances. He starred in films like 'Broken Lance' and 'Siege of the Saxons,' and had a successful TV career, earning an Emmy nomination for 'Stranger on Route.'

Deathyear: 1961

John III Sobieski

John III Sobieski, known as the "Great", was a Polish king and military leader who saved Europe from Ottoman invasion at the Battle of Vienna in 1683. He was crowned king in 1674 and ruled Poland-Lithuania until his death in 1696.

Deathyear: 1696

Jijabai

Jijabai, also known as the Dowager Queen, was the mother of Shivaji, the founder of the Maratha Empire. Born around 1598, she was known for her strong will and ambition, playing a significant role in shaping Shivaji's early life and politics.

Deathyear: 1674

Thomas Kuhn

Thomas Kuhn was a renowned American historian and philosopher of science, transforming our understanding of scientific progress through his concept of paradigm shifts in "The Structure of Scientific Revolutions" (1962), revealing the importance of social and cultural factors shaping scientific knowledge.

Deathyear: 1996

Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar

Mohammad Khan Qajar, a Persian tribal chief, was born in 1742. He was the founder of the Qajar dynasty, which ruled Iran from 1789 to 1925.

Deathyear: 1797

Darrell Powers

Here is 40 words about Darrell Powers: Darrell "Smitty" Powers was a US Army sergeant who fought in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. Born in 1923, he received the Medal of Honor for his bravery under fire during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir in Korea.

Deathyear: 2009

Kenneth Kaunda

Kenneth Kaunda, a renowned Zambian educator and politician, served as the country's first president from 1964 to 1991. A champion of African nationalism, he fought for Zambia's independence and played a key role in the country's post-colonial development.

Deathyear: 2021

Lord William Bentinck

Lord William Bentinck was a British general and politician who served as the 14th Governor-General of India from 1828 to 1835. He implemented significant reforms, abolished suttee and child marriage, and introduced English as the language of government and education.

Deathyear: 1839

Kate Smith

Kate Smith was an American singer and radio personality known for her powerful voice and iconic renditions of popular songs. Born on May 1, 1907, she enjoyed a long career, performing on radio, television, and stage, entertaining audiences with her warm and expressive voice.

Deathyear: 1986

Eugen Weidmann

Eugen Weidmann was a notorious German criminal who was executed by guillotine in 1939 for a series of brutal murders. Born in 1908, Weidmann's crimes included the murder of several women and children, earning him the nickname "Germany's serial killer".

Deathyear: 1939

Roberto Calvi

Roberto Calvi was an Italian banker who served as the CEO of Banco Ambrosiano. He was discovered hanging from a bridge in London in 1982, with evidence of torture and a death sentence etched on his ankles.

Deathyear: 1982

Süleyman Demirel

Here is a 40-word biography of Süleyman Demirel: Süleyman Demirel, born in 1924, is a Turkish engineer and politician who served as the 9th President of Turkey from 1993 to 2000. He previously held various ministerial and prime ministerial positions, earning a reputation as a strong leader and central figure in Turkish politics.

Deathyear: 2015

Joseph Addison

Joseph Addison, a prominent English writer and statesman, co-authored the influential periodical "The Spectator" with Richard Steele, crafting witty essays on morality, politics, and entertainment. He also wrote plays and poetry, and held various public offices, including Secretary of State.

Deathyear: 1719

Injo of Joseon

King Injo of Joseon, born in 1595, was the 16th monarch of the Joseon Dynasty in Korea. He ascended to the throne at the age of 11 and reigned for 36 years, implementing reforms and strengthening the country, earning the nickname "Stable King" for his wise and peaceful reign.

Deathyear: 1649

Edward Burne-Jones

I think there may be a mistake! Edward Burne-Jones was actually a British artist, not a soldier. Here's a 40-word bio: Edward Burne-Jones (1833-1898) was a renowned British artist, part of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. He was known for his beautiful, dreamlike paintings and designs, which often featured fantastical creatures and romantic themes.

Deathyear: 1898

Clementa C. Pinckney

Clementa Carrolina Pinckney, a pastor of Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, served as the South Carolina House of Representatives' 90th district representative. He advocated for education and gun control reforms before being tragically assassinated in a hate crime at his church in 2015.

Deathyear: 2015

Bolesław I the Brave

Bolesław I the Brave was a medieval Polish king who ruled from 1025 to 1034. He transformed Poland from a petty state into a strong kingdom, defeated the Holy Roman Empire, and expanded Polish territories eastward and westward.

Deathyear: 1025

Boulting brothers

John Boulting was a British director, producer, and screenwriter, known for his witty and satirical films. Born in 1913, he collaborated with his brother, Charles, on projects like "Private's Progress" and "I'm All Right Jack," showcasing his comedic talent and keen observational eye.

Deathyear: 1985

Patsy Byrne

Patsy Byrne is a renowned English actress born in 1933. She is best known for her roles in popular TV shows such as "Blackadder" and "Doctor Who".

Deathyear: 2014

Ralf Dahrendorf

Ralf Dahrendorf, a prominent German-English sociologist and politician, was born in 1929. He was a renowned expert on British society, politics, and economy. Dahrendorf was a Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford, and a Member of the European Parliament. His sociological works focused on the role of power and social inequality.

Deathyear: 2009

Dick Howser

Dick Howser, a Hall of Fame shortstop, played for the Kansas City Athletics, California Angels, and New York Yankees. He later managed the New York Mets, Minnesota Twins, and Tampa Bay Devil Rays, leading the Devil Rays to the playoffs in 2003.

Deathyear: 1987

Fritz Walter

Fritz Walter was a German footballer born in 1920. He played as a striker for both the German national team and club Admira Wandhofen. Walter was a prolific goal-scorer and is still considered one of the greatest players in German football history.

Deathyear: 2002

John Pitcairn

John Pitcairn (1722-1775) was a Scottish-English soldier who served in the British Army. He was a lieutenant of the Marines and a veteran of the French and Indian War. He was killed in the Battle of Bunker Hill during the American Revolutionary War.

Deathyear: 1775

Ji Gong

Daoji was a Chinese Buddhist monk born in 1130. He was a prominent figure in Chinese Buddhism, known for his writings on meditation and spiritual development.

Deathyear: 1207

Richard O'Connor

Here is a 40-word statement about Richard O'Connor, the Indian-English general: Richard O'Connor (1889-1989) was a renowned Indian-English general who played a key role in British Expeditionary Force campaigns in World War I and World War II.

Deathyear: 1981

Gianfranco Ferré

Here is a 40-word description of Gianfranco Ferré: Italian fashion designer Gianfranco Ferré (b. 1944) revolutionized the fashion world with his architectural style and iconic use of voluminous shapes, earning him the nickname "The Maestro." His designs have been showcased at major fashion houses, solidifying his legacy in the world of haute couture.

Deathyear: 2007

Basil Hume

Basil Hume, born in 1923, was a British cardinal who served as the Archbishop of Westminster from 1976 to 1999. A prominent figure in the Catholic Church, he was known for his humility, simplicity, and kindness, earning the respect and admiration of people from all over the world.

Deathyear: 1999

Lozen

Lozen, a Apache warrior woman, was born circa 1840 to a prominent Chiricahua Apache family. Known for her bravery, strategic mind, and marksmanship, she fought alongside Geronimo in numerous battles against Mexican and American forces during the Apache Wars.

Deathyear: 1889