May 5 birthdays and deaths:

Napoleon

Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821) was a French general and emperor who rose to power during the French Revolution. He conquered much of Europe, creating a vast empire, and became a legend in his own time, earning the nickname "The Little General".

Deathyear: 1821

Bernard Hill

Bernard Hill is a renowned English actor, born in 1944. He is best known for playing King Théoden in Peter Jackson's "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy and Captain Edward Smith in James Cameron's "Titanic." Hill has had a successful career in film, television, and theater.

Deathyear: 2024

Bobby Sands

Bobby Sands was a PIRA volunteer and hunger striker who died in 1981 after 66 days without food to protest his imprisonment without trial. His sacrifice galvanized international support for Irish republicanism and solidified his status as a martyr in the fight for Irish independence.

Deathyear: 1981

Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor

Leopold I was the Holy Roman Emperor from 1658 to 1705. As the son of Ferdinand III, he inherited the throne at a young age and ruled wisely, expanding Austria's power and prestige. He also played a key role in the Great Turkish War.

Deathyear: 1705

Violet Jessop

Violet Jessop, an Argentinean-English nurse, is renowned for her remarkable wartime service. Born in 1887, she survived two ship sinkings, the RMS Titanic and HMHS Britannic, and was decorated for bravery. Her story has been immortalized in films and books. Despite her tragedy-filled career, she remained cheerful and resilient.

Deathyear: 1971

Dana Wynter

Dana Wynter is a British actress born in 1931, known for her roles in films like "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" and "The Robe". With a career spanning over five decades, she has appeared in numerous films, television shows, and stage productions.

Deathyear: 2011

Umaru Musa Yar'Adua

Umaru Musa Yar'Adua was a Nigerian academic and politician who served as the 13th President of Nigeria from 2007 until his death in 2010. He was a graduate of Kelebek College and Ahmadu Bello University and was a professor of geology before entering politics.

Deathyear: 2010

Robert Ressler

Robert Ressler was a renowned American FBI agent and author, born in 1937. He was the lead investigator in the Zodiac Killer case and wrote "Whoever Fights Monsters", a book about his experiences and the psychology of serial killers.

Deathyear: 2013

Ludwig Erhard

Ludwig Erhard was a German economist and politician who served as Chancellor of Germany from 1963 to 1966. A leading figure in the Christian Democratic Union, he implemented economic reforms and oversaw a period of post-war prosperity.

Deathyear: 1977

César Luis Menotti

César Luis Menotti is a renowned Argentine footballer and manager. Born in 1938, he played for Spanish club Barcelona and later managed the Argentine national team, winning the 1978 World Cup. Menotti is credited with developing the "orthodox" style of Argentine football, emphasizing possession and creative play.

Deathyear: 2024

Mikhail Botvinnik

Mikhail Botvinnik was a renowned Russian chess player and coach, widely considered one of the greatest players of all time. Known for his innovative and strategic playing style, he won three World Chess Championships and held the title from 1948 to 1960 and again from 1961 to 1963.

Deathyear: 1995

John Williams (actor)

John Williams (1903-1983) was an English-American actor whose prolific career spanned over six decades. He appeared in numerous films, television shows, and stage productions, earning four Academy Award nominations for Best Actor.

Deathyear: 1983

Walter Sisulu

Walter Sisulu was a prominent South African anti-apartheid activist and politician. Born in 1912, he worked closely with Nelson Mandela, served on the African National Congress (ANC) National Executive Committee, and spent 26 years in prison for fighting against apartheid rule.

Deathyear: 2003

Naushad

Naushad Ali is a legendary Indian composer and producer, known for his contributions to Hindi cinema. Born in 1919, he has composed music for over 100 films, earning numerous awards, including the Padma Bhushan and Filmfare Awards.

Deathyear: 2006

Frederick Augustus I of Saxony

Frederick Augustus I (1750-1827) was the Elector of Saxony from 1763 until his death. He ruled the electorates of Saxony, Lusatia, and the Meissen districts.

Deathyear: 1827

Peter Gustav Lejeune Dirichlet

Peter Gustav Lejeune Dirichlet was a renowned German mathematician and academic, born in 1805. He made significant contributions to number theory, particularly in the areas of congruences and continued fractions, and was a professor at the University of Berlin from 1828 until his death in 1859.

Deathyear: 1859

Hugo Banzer

Hugo Banzer Suárez was a Bolivian general and politician who served as the 62nd President of Bolivia from 1952 to 1958 and again from 1978 to 1981. He was a key figure in Bolivian politics, known for his authoritarian style and controversial policies.

Deathyear: 2002

Frederick III, Elector of Saxony

Frederick III, Elector of Saxony, was born in 1463. He was the third son of Frederick II, Elector of Saxony.

Deathyear: 1525

Bill Musselman

Bill Musselman was a trailblazing American basketball player and coach, born in 1940. He played professionally in the NBA and ABA, and later coached at the collegiate and professional levels, revolutionizing the game with his aggressive "Triangle Offense" and innovative coaching approach.

Deathyear: 2000

Bret Harte

Bret Harte, a renowned American writer, was born in 1836. He is notable for creating the characters of the Ah Sin and the Canby characters in the Overland Monthly, a magazine published in San Francisco.

Deathyear: 1902

Carl Johan Bernadotte

Carl Johan Bernadotte, born 1916, is the youngest child of King Gustaf V of Sweden and Queen Victoria of Baden. He holds the title Count of Wisborg and serves as a Swedish nobleman and member of the royal family.

Deathyear: 2012

Charles II of Naples

Charles II of Naples was the King of Sicily and Naples from 1266 to 1309. He was the son of King Charles I of Sicily and was known for his military campaigns in Italy and his diplomatic efforts to strengthen his kingdom's alliances.

Deathyear: 1309

Gino Bartali

Gino Bartali, nicknamed "The Silver Flame," was a celebrated Italian professional road racing cyclist born on July 18, 1914. During his illustrious career, he won the Giro d'Italia and Tour de France, earning him the nickname "The Greatest Cyclist of All Time."

Deathyear: 2000

Claude Choules

Claude Ernest Choules was a British-Australian soldier and the last living veteran of the Crimean War. Born in 1901, he served in the Royal Navy and later the Australian Navy, rising to the rank of Chief Petty Officer.

Deathyear: 2011

Theodore Maiman

Theodore Harold Maiman, a pioneering physicist and engineer, invented the first working laser in 1960. He developed the laser using a synthetic ruby, and his invention revolutionized the fields of medicine, telecommunications, and manufacturing, transforming the way we live and work.

Deathyear: 2007

August Wilhelm von Hofmann

August Wilhelm von Hofmann was a renowned German chemist and academic, born in 1818. He made significant contributions to the fields of organic chemistry and biochemistry, serving as the director of the Chemical Laboratory at the University of Berlin.

Deathyear: 1892

George Sidney

George Sidney was a renowned American director and producer, born in 1916. He directed over 60 films, including "By the Light of the Silvery Moon" (1953) and "Village of the Damned" (1960), and won multiple awards for his work in the film industry, leaving a lasting legacy in Hollywood.

Deathyear: 2002

Elizabeth of Rhuddlan

Elizabeth of Rhuddlan was the daughter of King Edward I of England and Eleanor of Castile. Born in 1282, she married John II of France and later the Duke of Normandy, becoming Queen of Navarre. She was a key figure in mediating the 1325 marriage treaty of her son to a Spanish princess.

Deathyear: 1316

Michael Otedola

Michael Otedola was a Nigerian journalist and politician who served as the 9th Governor of Lagos State from 1992 to 1993. Born in 1926, he was known for his efforts to revitalize the state's economy and infrastructure.

Deathyear: 2014

Michael Shaara

Michael Shaara is an American author and academic, best known for his Pulitzer Prize-winning novel "The Killer Angels", which explores the Battle of Gettysburg.

Deathyear: 1988