Today’s posting seems to have more births than deaths, so we start with Charles V Holy Roman Emperor, who also amassed the following titles: King of the Romans, King of Italy, King of Spain, Lord of the Netherlands, Titular Duke of Burgundy and on Sunday’s – Archduke of Austria, as he started off in the not so warm climes of Ghent in 1500. Ippolito Aldobrandini or Pope Clement VIII started to rise through the ranks from 1536. Precursor to Bill by 208 years, Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge, started out at Buck Pal in 1774. Younger brother of German folklore tale writing duo the Brothers Grimm, Wilhelm Carl Grimm found birth anything but in 1786. Admiral who commanded the American fleet in the Pacific Ocean during World War II, Chester William Nimitz gave his mum navel nightmares once born in 1885. Rollo Smolt Thorpe or just Richard Thorpe, original director of The Wizard of Oz, (for all of two weeks), didn’t quite have a date with Judy in 1896. Actor Solomon Krakovsky who renamed himself Steven Hill, didn’t find birth a mission impossible in 1922. Also born that year, not diminutive car crasher from Top Gear/The Grand Tour, but artist Richard William Hamilton exhibited for the first time. Actor Dominic Chianese got to meet his godfather in 1931. Fellow thespian born Adolphus Raymondus Vernon Agopsowicz, who took on the slightly easier name of John Keith Vernon, had a special day from 1932. Italian Prime Minister, (minus the sleaze scandals, bunga bunga parties and alleged links to the Mafia), not Silvio Berlusconi but Benedetto ‘Bettino’ Craxi led a blameless life from 1934. Actor/singer with the coiffured hair, born Gerald Arthur James and then going onto take the name Jess Conrad was an absolute beginner in 1936. Co-founder of plodders and wheezers favourite apparel with the swoosh as its trademark, Philip Hampson ‘Phil’ Knight was out of the starting blocks in 1938. Bollywood actor Jai Om Yadav ‘Joy’ Mukherjee made his debut in 1939. Singer with imploded 1960’s group Manfred Mann, Paul Jones/Pond found his parents cock-a-hoop at his arrival in 1942. Other half to Lynn Foulds Wood – television journo John Stapleton campaigned to be born this day in 1946. Actor who liked to sing the theme tune to the shows he was in, Dennis Waterman didn’t need a minder when he left hospital in 1948. Singer/guitarist George Thorogood moved on over in 1950. One of the few Belgians to get a mention here, and is now found as the soundtrack to Kellogg’s cereals – Roger Allen François Jouret who’s probably better known as one hit wonder Plastic Bertrand didn’t have a stand in for his birth in 1954. Tech king, (no, not Bill Gates), but Steven Paul ‘Steve’ Jobs was ‘appily born in 1955. Also born that year, French champ of driving round and round a track countless times, Alain Prost’s parents toasted his arrival. Alternative folk singer Karen Michelle Johnson or Michelle Shocked had a short sharp shocked look on her face when born in 1962. One time children’s television presenter now presenting a radio show with various ex-BBC Dj’s at Greatest Hits Radio – Andrew Howard Crane has had a motormouth since 1964. One half of comedy duo Armstrong & Miller, Bennet Evan ‘Ben’ Miller didn’t have the worst week of his life in 1966. Also arriving that year, actor William George ‘Billy’ Zane Jr. left the perfect hideout. Pugilist Floyd Joy Sinclair, (better known as Floyd Mayweather Jr.,) hit the ropes in 1977. White short and shirt wearing tennis player Lleyton Hewitt had the advantage in 1981.
Death wise, we have a day off from dead Popes – so we start with Æthelberht King of Kent who turned his back on the white cliffs of Dover in 616. Joseph I King of Portugal and the Algarves found his days sprawled out on the sun lounger over in 1777. Chemist who discovered hydrogen – Henry Cavendish lost his oxygen supply in 1810. Inventor credited with developing the first commercially successful steamboat Robert Fulton rather ironically ran out of steam in 1815. Founder of posh bank bearing his surname – Thomas Coutts lost his credit in 1822. First President of Liberia, Joseph Jenkins Roberts didn’t get to see the main airport named after him given he rolled over in 1876. Prime Minister of Sweden, (with the moustache), Karl Hjalmar Branting took the peace prize to the next level in 1925. Son of publisher B.C. Forbes, Malcolm Stevenson Forbes was pulped in 1970. Actress born Eleanor Dorothy Lovegren, but known as Jean Rogers, was unable to stand up and cheer! from 1991. Sportscaster Danny Gallivan signed off in 1993. Also not making it through that year, World Cup ball kicking captain of West Ham United, Robert Frederick Chelsea, (I bet he kept that quiet), ‘Bobby’ Moore found himself more than offside. Character actor Derek Robert Nimmo became a member of the ghost squad in 1999. Actor born Emanuel Hirsch Cohen who adopted John Randolph as his stage name was a bit numb in 2004. Francis ‘Franny’ Beecher, guitarist with Bill Haley & his Comets stopped goofin’ around in 2014. Indian actress born Shree Amma Yanger, but is better known to her audience as Sredevi Kapoor found time to lie down from 2018. South African ballet dancer Dame Catherine Margaret Mary Scott, first director of the Australian Ballet School has been spinning in her grave since 2019. Finally, dead Norwegian of the day, singer Jan/Jahn Teigen finished side two in 2020.
With thanks to http://www.onthisday.com for filling in the gaps.
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