October 20 birthdays and deaths:

Muammar Gaddafi

Muammar Gaddafi was the Libyan colonel and politician who served as Prime Minister of Libya from 1969 to 1977 and then as Chairman of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya from 1977 to 2011.

Deathyear: 2011

Herbert Hoover

Herbert Hoover, a humanitarian and engineer, served as the 31st President of the United States from 1929 to 1933. He was born on August 10, 1874. In 1932, he lost his re-election bid to Franklin D.

Deathyear: 1964

Burt Lancaster

Burt Lancaster, born on November 2, 1913, was an American actor and major Hollywood star, known for his powerful screen presence, distinctive voice, and versatility in film genres such as drama, comedy, and action.

Deathyear: 1994

Ronnie Van Zant

Ronnie Van Zant, the iconic vocalist and songwriter of Lynyrd Skynyrd, was known for his powerful, raspy voice and poignant lyrics. With classics like "Sweet Home Alabama," he embodied Southern rock's spirit, leaving a lasting legacy in the world of music.

Deathyear: 1977

Eugene V. Debs

Eugene V. Debs was a renowned American union leader and politician. Born in 1855, Debs was a five-time candidate for President of the United States from the Socialist Party of America. He played a prominent role in the Pullman Strike and was imprisoned for his activism.

Deathyear: 1926

Paul Dirac

Paul Dirac was a pioneering physicist and mathematician who made groundbreaking contributions to quantum mechanics and the theory of relativity. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1933 for his work on the Dirac equation, which united quantum and classical mechanics.

Deathyear: 1984

Jack Elam

Jack Elam was an American character actor, born on June 5, 1918, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He's best known for his distinctive squinty-eyed, wisecracking performances in over 100 films and TV shows, including classics like "The Tall Stranger" (1957) and "Cat Ballou" (1965).

Deathyear: 2003

Anne Sullivan

Anne Sullivan was a pioneering American educator born in 1866. Despite being raised in poverty and struggling with personal loss, she devoted her life to educating others, most notably her renowned student Helen Keller.

Deathyear: 1936

James Randi

James Randi, a renowned stage magician and author, born in 1928, is best known for his skepticism and debunking of paranormal claims. As a magician, he has written extensively on the art of magic and is often referred to as the "Amazing Randi".

Deathyear: 2020

Joel McCrea

Joel McCrea was a renowned American actor, starring in over 100 films from the 1930s to the 1970s. He was known for his rugged, all-American looks and impressive range, appearing in Westerns, comedies, and dramas, earning him a reputation as one of Hollywood's most versatile actors.

Deathyear: 1990

Michael Massee

Michael Massee, born August 16, 1952, was an American actor known for his distinctive voice and wide range of film and TV roles, including his iconic portrayal of David in the iconic Apple iPhone commercial and his recurring role as Jonas Buda in 24.

Deathyear: 2016

Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor

Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor, was born in 1685. He became King of Bohemia, Hungary, and Croatia in 1711 and Holy Roman Emperor in 1711. He was a patron of arts and sciences and played a major role in the War of the Austrian Succession.

Deathyear: 1740

Richard Francis Burton

Richard Francis Burton (1821-1890) was a renowned English-Italian geographer and explorer who ventured into Africa and Asia, mapping unmapped territories and discovering the source of the Nile River.

Deathyear: 1890

Bob Guccione

Bob Guccione, born in 1930, was an American publisher and entrepreneur who founded Penthouse magazine in 1965. He revolutionized the adult entertainment industry with his explicit content, making Penthouse a household name.

Deathyear: 2010

Steve Gaines

Steve Gaines, an American guitarist, born in 1949, was a member of the southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. He played lead guitar and sang backing vocals before his tragic death in a plane crash in 1977 at the age of 28.

Deathyear: 1977

Jane Wyatt

Jane Wyatt, born in 1910, was a renowned American actress, best known for her iconic role as Margaret Williams, the loving matriarch of the Anderson family on the classic TV series "Father Knows Best" (1954-1960).

Deathyear: 2006

Oscar de la Renta

Oscar de la Renta, a visionary fashion designer, was born in the Dominican Republic in 1932. Known for his elegant and sophisticated designs, he dressed many luminaries, including Jacqueline Kennedy and Queen Sofia of Sweden. He passed away in 2014, leaving behind a timeless legacy in the world of fashion.

Deathyear: 2014

Anthony Quayle

Anthony Quayle was a renowned English actor and director, born in 1913. He appeared in numerous films and stage productions, earning three Tony Award nominations. Quayle's diverse repertoire included work with the Royal Shakespeare Company and notable roles in films like "Lawrence of Arabia" and "The Guns of Navarone".

Deathyear: 1989

Mutassim Gaddafi

Here is a 40-word biography of Mutassim Gaddafi: Mutassim Gaddafi was a Libyan colonel and the youngest son of Muammar Gaddafi. Born in 1977, he was a high-ranking military officer and served as the national security adviser. He was detained and killed in 2011 during the Libyan Civil War.

Deathyear: 2011

Henry L. Stimson

Henry L. Stimson, 46th Secretary of State, was a colonel, lawyer, and politician. Born in 1867, Stimson served as Secretary of War under Presidents Taft and Hoover, and later as Secretary of State under President Hoover, promoting US involvement in the League of Nations.

Deathyear: 1950

Christopher Stone (actor)

Christopher Stone was an American actor, director, and screenwriter, born in 1942. He gained recognition for his roles in film and television, including "The Sixth Sense" and "Mork & Mindy." Stone also worked behind the camera, directing episodes of popular TV shows like "Hawaii Five-O" and "M*A*S*H."

Deathyear: 1995

Junko Tabei

Junko Tabei, Japan's first female mountaineer, was born in 1939. She conquered K2, the highest unclimbed summit in the world, in 1983, at the age of 44. Her achievements paved the way for women in mountaineering and international mountaineering recognition.

Deathyear: 2016

Andrey Kolmogorov

Andrey Kolmogorov was a renowned Russian mathematician and academic, born in 1903. He made significant contributions to probability theory, functional analysis, and Turbulence. His work, "Foundations of the Theory of Probability", is a seminal book in the field.

Deathyear: 1987

Shigeru Yoshida

Shigeru Yoshida served as Japan's 32nd Prime Minister from 1946-1947. A skilled diplomat and politician, he played a crucial role in the country's post-WWII reconstruction and normalization with the United States. Born in 1878, Yoshida was a prominent figure in Japan's 20th-century politics.

Deathyear: 1967

Lucy Simon

Lucy Simon, born in 1940, is a renowned American composer and songwriter. She has penned scores for numerous Broadway shows, including the Tony Award-winning "The Secret Garden" and "Lizzie," showcasing her storytelling and melodic prowess.

Deathyear: 2022

Merle Travis

Merle Travis was a legendary American singer-songwriter and guitarist, born in 1917. Known for his unique fingerstyle guitar picking and vocals, he recorded hits like "Sixteen Tons" and "Travelin' Man," influential in the development of rock'n'roll and country music.

Deathyear: 1983

Jovanka Broz

Jovanka Broz, born in 1924, was a Croatian-Serbian colonel who played a significant role in the Yugoslav People's Army. As the wife of Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia's President Josip Broz Tito, she was known for her intelligence, beauty, and influence in the country's politics.

Deathyear: 2013

Wim Kok

Wim Kok served as Prime Minister of the Netherlands from 1994 to 2002. A trade union leader turned politician, he modernized the Dutch economy, reduced unemployment, and strengthened the social safety net. He is credited with transforming the Netherlands into one of the most prosperous and stable countries in Europe.

Deathyear: 2018

Farooq Leghari

Farooq Leghari, a stalwart of the Pakistan Peoples Party, served as the 8th President of Pakistan from 1993 to 1997. Born in 1940, he played a crucial role in Pakistan's politics, served as a Senator, and was a key figure in the country's democratic transition in the 1990s.

Deathyear: 2010

Don James (American football)

Don James, born in 1932, was a legendary American football player and coach. He played at Kansas State, then coached at North Dakota State, Iowa, and Washington, earning 157 wins as the Huskies' head coach, inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2006.

Deathyear: 2013

Klaus Störtebeker

Klaus Störtebeker was a notorious German pirate who operated in the Baltic Sea during the 16th century. He commanded a fleet of ships and plundered cities along the coast, earning him notoriety and a reputation as one of Germany's most feared pirates.

Deathyear: 1401

Jack Lynch

Jack Lynch was a renowned Irish footballer, lawyer, and politician who served as Ireland's 5th Taoiseach. Born in 1917, Lynch holds a unique distinction of being the first Fianna Fáil leader to occupy the office.

Deathyear: 1999

Champ Ferguson

Champ Ferguson was an American guerrilla leader who fought in the American Civil War. Born in 1821, Ferguson commanded a group of Confederate irregulars in eastern Tennessee and southern Kentucky, known for their brutality and violence towards Union sympathizers.

Deathyear: 1865

Max McGee

Max McGee was a legendary American football player, a wide receiver for the Green Bay Packers, winning four NFL championships and one Super Bowl. After his playing career, he became a respected sportscaster, calling games for the Packers and other teams.

Deathyear: 2007

Arthur Henderson

Arthur Henderson, a Scottish-English politician, served as Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1935. Born in 1863, he played a crucial role in shaping British foreign policy and advocated for international cooperation during the interwar period.

Deathyear: 1935

Naim Frashëri

Naim Frashëri (1846-1900) was a renowned Albanian poet, translator, and writer. He is considered one of the most important figures in Albanian literature, known for his poetic works, which often dealt with themes of freedom, patriotism, and love.

Deathyear: 1900

Lydia Maria Child

Lydia Maria Child was a pioneering American author, journalist, and abolitionist. Born in 1802, she was a prominent figure in the anti-slavery movement, writing novels, articles, and pamphlets on topics like slavery, women's rights, and Native American issues.

Deathyear: 1880

Shirley Horn

Shirley Horn was a jazz legend, renowned for her smooth, introspective voice and impeccable piano playing. With a career spanning decades, she perfected her unique style, blending jazz, pop, and classical elements, captivating audiences worldwide with her understated elegance.

Deathyear: 2005

Harlow Shapley

Harlow Shapley was a renowned American astronomer and educator, born in 1885. He made significant contributions to the field of astronomy, particularly in the study of globular clusters and the size of the universe.

Deathyear: 1972

Ted Ammon

Ted Ammon (b. 1949) is an American financier and banker. He co-founded the investment firm AmmCord, and served as CFO of AllianceBernstein.

Deathyear: 2001

Eva Ibbotson

Eva Ibbotson was a renowned Austrian-English author, born in 1925, who penned numerous romantic comedies and historical romances. Her witty writing and charming characters endeared her to readers worldwide, earning her a special place in the hearts of fans of light fiction.

Deathyear: 2010

Abu-Bakr Yunis Jabr

Abu-Bakr Yunis Jabr is a Libyan politician and former revolutionary leader who played a key role in the country's 1969 revolution. Born in 1942, he served as defense minister and later prime minister, before being forced into exile following Muammar Gaddafi's rise to power.

Deathyear: 2011

Bud Flanagan

Bud Flanagan, a charming English actor and screenwriter, soared to fame with his witty comedy skills and distinctive voice, starring in popular films and shows such as the "Flanagan Boy" series and "Radio Parade of 1933."

Deathyear: 1968