May 30 birthdays and deaths:

Joan of Arc

Joan of Arc, also known as "The Maid of Orléans", was a French heroine who led the French army to several victories during the Hundred Years' War. She was burned at the stake for heresy and witchcraft in 1431, but later declared a saint and a national heroine in France.

Deathyear: 1431

Beau Biden

Beau Biden, the eldest son of US Vice President Joe Biden, served as Delaware's 44th Attorney General from 2007 to 2015. A military veteran and lawyer, he was also a prominent figure in Delaware politics, known for his commitment to protecting public safety and consumer rights.

Deathyear: 2015

Wright brothers

Wilbur Wright was a pioneering American aviator and businessman, credited with inventing, building, and flying the world's first successful airplane. With his brother Orville, he founded the Wright Company, revolutionizing transportation and paving the way for modern aviation. Born in 1867, Wilbur's legacy remains timeless.

Deathyear: 1912

Voltaire

François-Marie Arouet, better known as Voltaire, was a French philosopher and author (1694-1778). He was a prominent figure of the Enlightenment, advocating for civil liberties, tolerance, and reason. His writings, such as "Candide," ridiculed superstition and oppression, earning him persecution by the French monarchy.

Deathyear: 1778

Christopher Marlowe

Christopher Marlowe, a renowned English poet and playwright, was born in 1564. He is known for his iconic works such as "Tamburlaine the Great" and "Doctor Faustus", showcasing his mastery of language and storytelling. His works had a significant impact on the development of English literature.

Deathyear: 1593

Peter Paul Rubens

Peter Paul Rubens was a renowned German-Belgian painter and artist, known for his vibrant Baroque style and sensual depictions of the female form. Born in 1577, he was a master of composition and color, creating iconic works like "Descent from the Cross" and "The Garden of Love".

Deathyear: 1640

Charles IX of France

Charles IX of France, born in 1550, was the third son of King Henry II and Queen Catherine de' Medici. He succeeded his father at the age of 21 and ruled France from 1560 until his death in 1574.

Deathyear: 1574

Rafael Trujillo

Rafael Trujillo, a Dominican soldier and politician, served as the 36th President of the Dominican Republic from 1930-1938 and again from 1942-1952. He seized power through a coup and implemented authoritarian rule, suppressing opposition and implementing repressive policies.

Deathyear: 1961

Louis Slotin

Louis Slotin was a Canadian physicist and chemist born in 1910. He is best known for his work on nuclear chain reactions and neutron diffusion.

Deathyear: 1946

Claude Rains

Claude Rains, a renowned English-American actor, was born on November 10, 1889. He gained international recognition for his commanding stage presence, distinctive voice, and versatility in films like "Casablanca" and "Saboteur," earning four Academy Award nominations and cementing his mark on the world of cinema.

Deathyear: 1967

Steve Prefontaine

Steve Prefontaine, a talented American middle- and long-distance runner, earned eight NCAA championships during his collegiate career at the University of Oregon. His charismatic personality and impressive racing times made him a international icon in the world of track and field.

Deathyear: 1975

Georg von Trapp

Georg von Trapp, a Austrian naval officer, was born in 1880. He commanded an U-boat during World War I, earning the Iron Cross. He married Maria Augusta Kutschera in 1911 and they had seven children.

Deathyear: 1947

Alexander Pope

Alexander Pope, a prominent English poet, essayist, and translator, born in 1688, is renowned for his critical acuity, lyric gift, and mastery of Latin and Greek. His works, such as "The Rape of the Lock" and "An Essay on Man," showcase his clever use of language and satire.

Deathyear: 1744

Leo Szilard

Leó Szilárd, a Hungarian-American physicist and engineer, was born in 1898. He made significant contributions to the development of the atomic bomb and was a pioneer in the field of nuclear physics.

Deathyear: 1964

Boris Pasternak

Boris Pasternak, a renowned Russian poet, novelist, and translator, was born in 1890. He is best known for his novel "Doctor Zhivago", which told the story of a Russian physician's struggle to maintain his humanity during the Russian Revolution and its aftermath.

Deathyear: 1960

Ziaur Rahman

Ziaur Rahman, a Pakistani-born Bangladeshi general and politician, served as the 7th President of Bangladesh from 1977 to 1981. He was a key figure in the country's liberation war and later became a military strongman, imposing martial law in 1977 and ruling brutally before his assassination in 1981.

Deathyear: 1981

Sun Ra

Sun Ra (born Herman Poole Blatch) was a pioneering American pianist, composer, and bandleader known for his avant-garde style, blending jazz, funk, and science fiction themes. He led the Sun Ra Arkestra, pushing the boundaries of music and pushing the limits of what was considered "traditional" jazz.

Deathyear: 1993

Guru Arjan

Guru Arjan Dev (1563-1606) was the fifth Sikh guru. He compiled the Adi Granth, the sacred Sikh scripture, and established the city of Tarn Taran Sahib. He suffered martyrdom in the city of Lahore, becoming the first Sikh martyr to die for his faith.

Deathyear: 1606

Jacquetta of Luxembourg

Here is a 40-word passage about Jacquetta of Luxembourg: Jacquetta of Luxembourg was born in 1416 as the daughter of Pierre de Luxembourg, a noble from Luxembourg. She married Richard Woodville, a courtier, and became the mother of Elizabeth of York, wife of Henry VII.

Deathyear: 1472

Tōgō Heihachirō

Tōgō Heihachirō was a renowned Japanese admiral who led the Japanese Fleet to victory in the Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905). He is considered one of Japan's greatest admirals, known for his tactical genius and bravery, and is celebrated for his role in modernizing the Japanese Navy.

Deathyear: 1934

Ferdinand III of Castile

Ferdinand III, King of Castile and León (1199-1252), was a prominent monarch who conquered the kingdom of Murcia, expanded his territories in the Iberian Peninsula, and became known for his military prowess and diplomacy. He was a skilled strategist and politician, strengthening ties with the Crown of Aragon.

Deathyear: 1252

Prajadhipok

Prajadhipok (1893-1941) was the seventh monarch of the Chakri dynasty and the last absolute monarch of Siam. He reigned from 1925 to 1935 and was known for his modernizing efforts, including the introduction of a constitution and the establishment of a parliament.

Deathyear: 1941

Michael Angelis

Michael Angelis is a British actor, born in 1944, best known for his iconic role as George Woodman in the BBC's "Ballykissangel" and his narration of the Railway Series books, bringing to life the adventures of Thomas the Tank Engine.

Deathyear: 2020

Perry Ellis

Perry Ellis (b. 1940) revolutionized American fashion with his eponymous brand, blending classic sophistication with trendy flair. His attention to detail and use of bold colors and patterns made him a household name in the 1970s and 1980s.

Deathyear: 1986

Mitsuo Fuchida

Mitsuo Fuchida was a Japanese Navy captain who led the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. After the war, he became a Christian minister and advocate for peace, apologizing for Japan's wartime actions.

Deathyear: 1976

Ezra Taft Benson

Ezra Taft Benson was the 13th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving from 1985 to 1994. A devout Mormon and former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Benson was known for his strong convictions and unwavering commitment to his faith and its principles.

Deathyear: 1994

Robert Sterling

Robert Sterling was an American actor born in 1917. He is best known for his roles in the TV anthology series "Studio One" and "Crossroads." He also appeared in films such as "I Was a Communist for the FBI" and "The Daltones."

Deathyear: 2006

François Boucher

François Boucher was a renowned French painter and set designer born in 1703. He was known for his elegant Rococo style, often depicting romantic couples and idyllic landscapes. He designed sets for the Opéra de Paris and painted famous works like "The Game of Cupid."

Deathyear: 1770

Dooley Wilson

Dooley Wilson, born in 1886, was an American actor and singer. He was a talented performer who gained acclaim for his roles in films, such as "Hollywood Hotel" and "Stormy Weather". Wilson was also known for his smooth vocals, particularly in the song "It's Love I'm After".

Deathyear: 1953

Carl Radle

Carl Radle (1942-1977) was a renowned American bassist and producer. He worked with Eric Clapton, George Harrison, and others, playing on seminal albums like Derek and the Dominos' "Layla" and Clapton's "Slowhand". His distinctive bass lines and innovative production style left a lasting impact on music history.

Deathyear: 1980

Milton Bradley

Milton Bradley, American businessman, founded the Milton Bradley Company in 1860, creating educational and entertainment games such as the popular "Colorforms" toy. Born in 1836, Bradley's entrepreneurial ventures spanned over four decades, leaving a lasting impact on the toy industry.

Deathyear: 1911

Georgi Plekhanov

Georgi Plekhanov was a Russian philosopher and theorist born in 1856. He was a key figure in the development of Marxist thought in Russia, and his writings on the relationship between economics and ideology remain influential in the field of Marxist studies.

Deathyear: 1918

Thad Cochran

Thad Cochran is a longtime American politician who served as a U.S. Representative and Senator from Mississippi from 1973 to 2018. A lawyer by training, Cochran was a powerful force in Washington, known for his moderate voice and dedication to his constituents.

Deathyear: 2019

Drew Gordon

Drew Gordon is an American professional basketball player born in 1990. He played college basketball at Stanford and UCLA, earning Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2011. He has also played professionally in the NBA G League and overseas.

Deathyear: 2024

Ephraim Katzir

Ephraim Katzir, a renowned biophysicist, served as Israel's 4th President from 1973 to 1978. Born in Kiev, Ukraine in 1916, Katzir was a pioneering scientist and statesman who played a key role in Israel's development and international relations.

Deathyear: 2009

Jack Twyman

Jack Twyman, born in 1934, was a standout American basketball player who played for the Cincinnati Royals and St. Louis Hawks. After his playing career, he went on to become a successful sportscaster, providing commentary for the Cincinnati Reds and NBA games.

Deathyear: 2012

Mary Reibey

Mary Reibey, a pioneering Australian businesswoman, was born in 1777. She arrived in Sydney in 1792 and went on to build a successful business empire, becoming one of the first women to own a hotel, a blacksmith shop, and a horse and dray business.

Deathyear: 1855

Bill Vukovich

Bill Vukovich was an American racing driver who dominated the Indianapolis 500, winning three times (1953, 1954, and 1955). Known for his aggressive driving style, Vukovich held the record for most Indy 500 wins until 2010.

Deathyear: 1955

Clarice Taylor

Clarice Taylor, born 1917, was an American actress best known for her role as Sanford Spouse on the 1970s-80s NBC sitcom Sanford and Son. She also appeared in several films and TV shows, earning numerous awards and nominations for her outstanding performances.

Deathyear: 2011

Tex Beneke

Tex Beneke was a renowned American saxophonist and bandleader, born in Fort Worth, Texas in 1914. Best known as Glenn Miller's saxophonist and arranger, Beneke led his own bands, recorded extensively, and was a major figure in the swing and big band era.

Deathyear: 2000

Andrew Huxley

Andrew F. Huxley, a renowned English physiologist and biophysicist, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1963 for his work on the structure and function of the nervous system. He made significant contributions to understanding the electrical properties of neurons.

Deathyear: 2012

Marcel Bich

Marcel Bich, a visionary entrepreneur, co-founded Société Bic in 1945 with his partner Édouard Buffard. With a passion for innovation, Bich introduced the first affordable, disposable pen, revolutionizing writing technology. Born in 1914, Bich's legacy continues to shape the pen industry.

Deathyear: 1994

Shōhei Imamura

Shohei Imamura is a renowned Japanese director, producer, and screenwriter, born in 1926. Known for his gritty, socially conscious films, Imamura's work often explores themes of war, morality, and human condition, earning him international acclaim and numerous awards, including the Palme d'Or, Cannes' top prize.

Deathyear: 2006