March 24 birthdays and deaths:

Elizabeth I

Elizabeth I, daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, ruled England from 1558 to 1603. Known as the Virgin Queen, she brought peace and prosperity to England, defeated the Spanish Armada, and was a patron of the arts and literature.

Deathyear: 1603

Mary of Teck

Mary of Teck, born Princess Victoria Alexandra Alice, was the granddaughter of Queen Victoria and the daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh. She married King George V and became Queen of the United Kingdom from 1910 until his death in 1936.

Deathyear: 1953

Johan Cruyff

Johan Cruyff (b. 1947) was a legendary Dutch footballer known for his innovative skills and creative playing style. As a midfielder, he led the Dutch national team to the 1974 FIFA World Cup finals and is considered one of the greatest players of all time.

Deathyear: 2016

Jessica Walter

Jessica Walter was a talented American actress and voice artist, known for her iconic roles in films and TV shows. Born in 1941, she's best recognized for her work on the TV series "Arrested Development" as Lucille Bluth and in films like "Play Misty for Me" and "Grand Prix".

Deathyear: 2021

Jules Verne

Jules Verne, a pioneering French writer, revolutionized science fiction with his novels, such as "Journey to the Center of the Earth" and "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea". His works explored the intersection of technology, adventure, and the human condition, captivating readers worldwide with his imaginative and predictive storytelling.

Deathyear: 1905

Bernard Montgomery

Bernard Montgomery, 1st Viscount Montgomery of Alamein, was an esteemed English field marshal who played a crucial role in World War II, notably leading the Allied forces to victory in North Africa and commanding the 21st Army Group during the D-Day landings and subsequent campaigns.

Deathyear: 1976

Garry Shandling

Garry Shandling was a renowned American comedian, actor, and writer, best known for creating and starring in the hit TV series "It's Garry Shandling's Show" and "The Larry Sanders Show". Known for his witty humor and satire, Shandling left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry.

Deathyear: 2016

Robert Culp

Robert Culp (1930-present) is a renowned American actor and writer, best known for his roles in TV series "I Spy" and "Hawk," as well as films like "The Outcast of Poker Flat" and "Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice."

Deathyear: 2010

Richard Widmark

Richard Widmark was a renowned American actor, born on December 28, 1914. He is best known for his rugged, brooding on-screen presence, landing iconic roles in films like "Kiss of Death" and "The Long, Hot Summer".

Deathyear: 2008

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was a celebrated American poet, educator, and translator. Born in 1807, he wrote iconic poems like "The Song of Hiawatha" and "Paul Revere's Ride". He was a prominent figure in American literary society and served as the first professor of modern languages at Harvard University.

Deathyear: 1882

Harun al-Rashid

Harun al-Rashid was the fifth Abbasid Caliph, ruling from 786 to 809. Known for his military campaigns and cultural achievements, he expanded the Islamic Empire, fostering a golden age of poetry, literature, and art. A just and fair ruler, he ruled Arabia and beyond with wisdom and strength.

Deathyear: 809

Gordon Moore

Gordon Moore, a renowned American businessman, engineer, and co-founder of Intel Corporation, was born in 1929. He is credited with developing the first microprocessor and predicting the exponential growth of computing power, which has become known as Moore's Law.

Deathyear: 2023

Óscar Romero

Óscar Romero, a Salvadoran archbishop, was a vocal advocate for social justice and human rights. He was assassinated in 1980, just months after being appointed as Archbishop of San Salvador, while celebrating Mass in a hospital chapel.

Deathyear: 1980

Alexander Alekhine

Alexander Alekhine, a Ukrainian-born Russian chess player, is considered one of the greatest chess players of all time. He was the fourth World Chess Champion and won numerous tournaments, including the 1927 Masters' Tournament.

Deathyear: 1946

John Harrison

John Harrison, an English carpenter and clockmaker, invented the Marine chronometer in 1759 to solve the longitude problem, revolutionizing navigation. Born in 1693, Harrison's innovations earned him recognition from the Royal Navy and the British government, securing his place in history as a pioneering clockmaker.

Deathyear: 1776

Sam Jaffe

Sam Jaffe was a renowned American actor born in 1891. He appeared in over 60 films, including "Gunga Din" and "The Ten Commandments". With a distinctive voice and authoritative presence, Jaffe became a staple in Hollywood during the Golden Age of cinema.

Deathyear: 1984

Pradeep Sarkar

Pradeep Sarkar is a renowned Indian writer and director, known for his thought-provoking and poignant films. Born in 1955, he has made a significant mark in the Indian film industry with his unique storytelling and direction.

Deathyear: 2023

Orde Wingate

Orde Wingate, a British general, was born in 1903. His military experience in China and Africa laid the groundwork for his ultimate appointment as commander of Chindits.

Deathyear: 1944

Auguste Piccard

Auguste Piccard, a Swiss physicist and explorer, made significant contributions to aerodynamics and stratospheric research. Together with his son, he made the first manned balloon flight to the stratosphere, reaching an altitude of 15,760 meters in 1931. His pioneering work expanded our understanding of the atmosphere and its boundaries.

Deathyear: 1962

Neil Aspinall

Neil Aspinall was a renowned Welsh-English record producer and manager, born in 1941. He worked closely with The Beatles, serving as their road manager and later, Apple Records' director. He co-produced many of their albums and helped shape the band's sound.

Deathyear: 2008

John Millington Synge

John Millington Synge was a renowned Irish playwright and poet born in 1871. His groundbreaking works, such as "The Playboy of the Western World" and "The Shadow of the Glen," revolutionized Irish literature and theatre.

Deathyear: 1909

Albert Uderzo

Albert Uderzo is a French comic book artist and writer, best known for creating the popular comic book series "Asterix" with René Goscinny. Born in 1927, Uderzo's iconic drawings and storytelling have captivated readers worldwide.

Deathyear: 2020

Pope Nicholas V

Pope Nicholas V (1397-1455) was an Italian priest and the 205th Pope of the Catholic Church from 1447 until 1455.

Deathyear: 1455

Manu Dibango

Manu Dibango is a Cameroonian musician and songwriter born in 1933. He is best known for his hit song "Soul Makossa," which became a worldwide phenomenon in the 1970s.

Deathyear: 2020

Alice Guy-Blaché

Alice Guy-Blaché was a pioneering filmmaker and entrepreneur, directing over 700 films between 1896 and 1922. She produced, wrote, and edited many of her films, breaking new ground for women in the industry.

Deathyear: 1968

John Kerr (governor-general)

John Kerr, a renowned Australian lawyer and politician, served as the 18th Governor-General of Australia from 1974 to 1977. Born in 1914, he earned recognition for his expertise in constitutional law and played a pivotal role in Australian politics during his tenure.

Deathyear: 1991

Joseph Needham

Joseph Needham, a renowned English biochemist and sinologist, was born in 1900. He made significant contributions to our understanding of Chinese science and technology. His book "Science and Civilisation in China" is considered a seminal work on the subject.

Deathyear: 1995

John Hersey

John Hersey was a renowned American journalist and author, best known for his poignant and meticulously researched reporting on the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. His classic book, "Hiroshima," is considered a masterpiece of literary journalism, offering a deeply humanizing portrayal of the devastating effects of the atomic bomb.

Deathyear: 1993

Maria Amalia of Naples and Sicily

Maria Amalia of Naples and Sicily (1782-1820) was a Neapolitan princess who became Queen of France as the wife of King Louis Philippe I. She was known for her beauty, fashion sense, and philanthropic efforts, earning her popularity among the French people.

Deathyear: 1866

Antoine-Henri Jomini

Antoine-Henri Jomini was a Swiss-born French-Russian general who played a crucial role in Napoleon's military campaigns. He served as Marshal of France and later as a general-in-chief in the Russian Army, earning recognition for his strategic brilliance and defensive tactics.

Deathyear: 1869

Arne Jacobsen

Arne Jacobsen, a renowned Danish architect, born in 1902, designed iconic masterpieces, including the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel and Aarhus City Hall. His work embodies Scandinavian modernism, blending functional simplicity with elegance, inspiring a new era of architectural innovation.

Deathyear: 1971

Enrique Granados

Enrique Granados was a Spanish pianist and composer known for his elegant and romantic playing style. He composed Goyescas, a famous piano suite, and was renowned for his interpretations of Spanish classical music.

Deathyear: 1916

Hugh III of Cyprus

Hugh III of Cyprus (b. 1235) was the King of Cyprus from 1267 to 1284. He succeeded his brother, Henry I, and married Isabella de Ibelin, daughter of the famous Philip of Ibelin.

Deathyear: 1284

Oleksandr Muzychko

Oleksandr Muzychko, a Ukrainian activist and former Right Sector militant, was born in 1962. He was known for his role in the Ukrainian Revolution of 2014 and his involvement in the Euromaidan protests.

Deathyear: 2014

Rim Banna

Rim Banna is a renowned Palestinian singer, composer, arranger, and activist born in 1966. Known for her powerful, soulful voice and advocacy for Palestinian rights, she has performed worldwide, releasing several albums that blend traditional folk with modern styles, promoting cultural understanding and fighting for social justice.

Deathyear: 2018

Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield

Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield, was a British politician and courtier. Born in 1694, he served as Captain of the Yeomen of the Guard from 1726 to 1737. He was known for his wit and diplomatic skills, earning him a reputation as a respected statesman.

Deathyear: 1773

Lys Assia

Lys Assia, a Swiss singer, won the first Eurovision Song Contest in 1956 with the song "Refrain". Born on March 7, 1924, in Zoppot, Germany (now Sopot, Poland), Assia went on to have a successful music career in Switzerland and Germany.

Deathyear: 2018

Joseph Pilato

Joseph Pilato is an American film and voice actor born in 1949. He has appeared in numerous films and TV shows, providing distinctive voices for characters in animated series and video games.

Deathyear: 2019

Ivan Kramskoi

Ivan Kramskoi was a prominent Russian painter and critic, known for his realist and impressionist works. Born in 1837, he was a pioneer of Russian art, exploring themes of everyday life, social issues, and landscapes.

Deathyear: 1887