1939
Klaus Rinke, German artist (died 2026)
Klaus Rinke was a German artist.
Klaus Rinke, German artist (died 2026)
The 1930s
Explore 2813 historical events from 1930–1939.
1939
Judy Collins, American singer-songwriter and guitarist
Judith Marjorie Collins is an American singer-songwriter and musician with a career spanning nearly seven decades. An Academy Award-nominated documentary director and a Grammy Awar…
Judy Collins, American singer-songwriter and guitarist
1939
Amos Oz, Israeli journalist and author (died 2018)
Amos Oz was an Israeli writer, novelist, journalist, and intellectual. He was also a professor of Hebrew literature at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. From 1967 onwards, Oz was…
Amos Oz, Israeli journalist and author (died 2018)
1939
The United Kingdom and Poland form a military alliance in which the UK promises to defend Poland in case of invasion…
The Second Polish Republic, officially known at the time as the Republic of Poland, was the Polish state that existed between 7 October 1918 and 6 October 1939 after being establis…
The United Kingdom and Poland form a military alliance in which the UK promises to defend Poland in case of invasion…
1939
First flight of the turbojet-powered Heinkel He 178, the world's first jet aircraft.
The turbojet is an airbreathing jet engine which is typically used in aircraft. It consists of a gas turbine with a propelling nozzle. The gas turbine has an air inlet which includ…
First flight of the turbojet-powered Heinkel He 178, the world's first jet aircraft.
1939
Dusty Springfield, English singer and record producer (died 1999)
Mary Isobel Catherine Bernadette O'Brien, better known by her stage name Dusty Springfield, was an English singer born to Irish parents. With her distinctive mezzo-soprano voice, s…
Dusty Springfield, English singer and record producer (died 1999)
1939
Ali Khamenei, Supreme Leader of Iran (died 2026)
Ali Hosseini Khamenei was an Iranian politician and Shia cleric who served as the second supreme leader of Iran from 1989 until his assassination in the 2026 Iran war. A member of …
Ali Khamenei, Supreme Leader of Iran (died 2026)
1939
Robert Skidelsky, Baron Skidelsky, English historian and academic (died 2026)
Robert Jacob Alexander Skidelsky, Baron Skidelsky, was a British economic historian, author and crossbench life peer in the House of Lords. He is best known for his award-winning t…
Robert Skidelsky, Baron Skidelsky, English historian and academic (died 2026)
1939
Ray Gosling, English journalist, author, and activist (died 2013)
Raymond Arthur Gosling was an English broadcaster, journalist, author, and gay rights activist.
Ray Gosling, English journalist, author, and activist (died 2013)
1939
Sidney Altman, Canadian-American biologist and academic, Nobel Prize laureate (died 2022)
Sidney Altman was a Canadian-American molecular biologist, who was the Sterling Professor of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology and Chemistry at Yale University. In 198…
Sidney Altman, Canadian-American biologist and academic, Nobel Prize laureate (died 2022)
1939
Ruggero Deodato, Italian actor, director, and screenwriter (died 2022)
Ruggero Deodato was an Italian film and television director, screenwriter, and occasional actor.
Ruggero Deodato, Italian actor, director, and screenwriter (died 2022)
1939
Ruud Lubbers, Dutch economist and politician, Prime Minister of the Netherlands (died 2018)
Rudolphus Franciscus Marie "Ruud" Lubbers was a Dutch politician, diplomat and businessman who served as prime minister of the Netherlands from 1982 to 1994, and as United Nations …
Ruud Lubbers, Dutch economist and politician, Prime Minister of the Netherlands (died 2018)
1939
Johnny Maestro, American pop/doo-wop singer (died 2010)
John Peter Mastrangelo, known as Johnny Maestro, was an American pop singer. He was the lead vocalist for the doo-wop group The Crests, whose 1958 song "16 Candles" achieved number…
Johnny Maestro, American pop/doo-wop singer (died 2010)
1939
Ion Țiriac, Romanian tennis player and manager
Ion Țiriac (Romanian pronunciation: [iˈon t͡siriˈak]; born 9 May 1939), also known as the "Brașov Bulldozer", is a Romanian businessman, former professional tennis and ice hockey …
Ion Țiriac, Romanian tennis player and manager
1939
Reg Gasnier, Australian rugby league player, coach, and sportscaster (died 2014)
Reginald William Gasnier was an Australian rugby league footballer and coach. He played centre for the St. George Dragons from 1959 to 1967 and represented Australia in a then reco…
Reg Gasnier, Australian rugby league player, coach, and sportscaster (died 2014)
1939
Harvey Keitel, American actor
Harvey Johannes Keitel is an American actor and producer. Known for his portrayal of morally ambiguous and "tough guy" characters, he rose to prominence during the New Hollywood mo…
Harvey Keitel, American actor
1939
Dorothy Shirley, English high jumper and educator
Dorothy Ada Emerson is a former British athlete, who mainly competed in the women's high jump event.
Dorothy Shirley, English high jumper and educator
1939
Hugh Dykes, Baron Dykes, English politician
Hugh John Maxwell Dykes, Baron Dykes, is a British politician and member of the House of Lords. He served as a Conservative Member of Parliament (MP) from 1970 to 1997, and later d…
Hugh Dykes, Baron Dykes, English politician
1939
Gary Paulsen, American author (died 2021)
Gary James Paulsen was an American writer of children's and young adult fiction, best known for coming-of-age stories about the wilderness. He was the author of more than 200 books…
Gary Paulsen, American author (died 2021)
1939
Patrick Cormack, Baron Cormack, English historian, journalist, and politician (died 2024)
Patrick Thomas Cormack, Baron Cormack, was a British politician, historian, journalist and author. He served as a member of Parliament (MP) for 40 years, from 1970 to 2010. Cormack…
Patrick Cormack, Baron Cormack, English historian, journalist, and politician (died 2024)
1939
Giovanni Falcone, Italian lawyer and judge (died 1992)
Giovanni Falcone was an Italian judge and prosecuting magistrate. From his office in the Palace of Justice in Palermo, Sicily, he spent most of his professional life trying to over…
Giovanni Falcone, Italian lawyer and judge (died 1992)
1939
Gordon O'Connor, Canadian general and politician, 38th Canadian Minister of Defence
Gordon James O'Connor, is a retired brigadier-general, businessman, and lobbyist, who served as Conservative Member of Parliament from 2004 to 2015.
Gordon O'Connor, Canadian general and politician, 38th Canadian Minister of Defence
1939
Mario Segni, Italian professor and politician
Mariotto "Mario" Segni is a retired Italian politician and professor of civil law. He founded several parties, which focused on fighting for electoral reform through referendums. H…
Mario Segni, Italian professor and politician
1939
Livio Berruti, Italian sprinter
Livio Berruti is an Italian former athlete who was the winner of the 200-meter dash in the 1960 Summer Olympics.
Livio Berruti, Italian sprinter