Explore 6096 historical events from 1940–1949.
Annie Thérèse Blanche Ernaux is a French writer who was awarded the 2022 Nobel Prize in Literature "for the courage and clinical acuity with which she uncovers the roots, estrangem…
Annie Ernaux, French author, Nobel Prize laureate
Francis Cuthbert Duffy was a British architect, a founder of DEGW, the international architectural and design practice best known for office design and workplace strategy and, late…
Frank Duffy, English architect
Pauline Angela Collins was a British actress who first rose to fame portraying Sarah Moffat in Upstairs, Downstairs (1971–1973) and its spin-off Thomas & Sarah (1979). In 1992, she…
Pauline Collins, English actress (died 2025)
Eduardo Germán María Hughes Galeano was a Uruguayan journalist, writer and novelist considered, among other things, "a literary giant of the Latin American left" and "global soccer…
Eduardo Galeano, Uruguayan journalist and author (died 2015)
Sir Brian James Lochore was a New Zealand rugby union player and coach who represented and captained the New Zealand national team, the All Blacks. He played at number 8 and lock, …
Brian Lochore, New Zealand rugby player and coach (died 2019)
Valerie Georgina Howarth, Baroness Howarth of Breckland, was a British social worker, first chief executive of Childline, child and adult welfare advocate and a crossbench member o…
Valerie Howarth, Baroness Howarth of Breckland, English politician
John Michael Hayes was an American oceanographer. He worked at Indiana University Bloomington, and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Woods Hole, Massachusetts.
John M. Hayes, American scientist (died 2017)
Elizabeth Murray was an American painter, printmaker and draughtsman. Her works are in many major public collections, including those of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, the Hirsh…
Elizabeth Murray, American painter and illustrator (died 2007)
Jo Raquel Welch was an American actress. Welch first gained attention for her role in Fantastic Voyage (1966), after which she signed a long-term contract with 20th Century Fox. Th…
Raquel Welch, American actress and singer (died 2023)
Yvonne Ann Gregory, known professionally as Jackie Trent, was an English singer-songwriter and actress. Her 1965 song "Where Are You Now" reached number one in the UK singles chart…
Jackie Trent, English-Spanish singer-songwriter and actress (died 2015)
Dario Argento is an Italian filmmaker. His influential work in the horror and giallo genres during the 1970s and 1980s has led him to being referred to as the "Master of the Thrill…
Dario Argento, Italian director, producer, and screenwriter
Abdurrahman Wahid, more colloquially known as Gus Dur, was an Indonesian politician and Islamic religious leader who served as the fourth president of Indonesia, from his election …
Abdurrahman Wahid, Indonesian journalist and politician, 4th President of Indonesia (died 2009)
Quentin LaMar Cook is a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Currently, he is the fifth most senior apostle in the church…
Quentin L. Cook, American religious leader
Jerzy Robert Nowak is a Polish historian, and former columnist in right-wing Catholic media outlets including Nasz Dziennik, Telewizja Trwam, Radio Maryja.
Jerzy Robert Nowak, Polish historian and journalist
Jack Prelutsky is an American writer of children's poetry who has published over 50 poetry collections. He served as the first U.S. Children's Poet Laureate from 2006 to 2008 when …
Jack Prelutsky, American author and poet
Hugh Matheson Morgan, is an Australian businessman and former CEO of Western Mining Corporation. He was President of the Business Council of Australia from 2003 to 2005. The Howard…
Hugh Morgan, Australian businessman
Jose Negroni was an American singer of Puerto Rican descent. He was a rock and roll pioneer and founding member of the rock and roll group Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers.
Joe Negroni, American doo-wop singer (died 1978)
Robert Chance was an American first baseman and right fielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Cleveland Indians, Washington Senators and California Angels in part of si…
Bob Chance, American baseball player (died 2013)
Brian Russell De Palma is an American filmmaker. A major figure of the New Hollywood generation, he is best known for his work in the suspense, crime, and psychological thriller ge…
Brian De Palma, American director, producer, and screenwriter
Nông Đức Mạnh is a Vietnamese politician who served as General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the most powerful position in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, from 20…
Nông Đức Mạnh, Vietnamese politician
Roy Edward Ayers Jr. was an American vibraphonist, record producer, and composer. Ayers began his career as a post-bop jazz artist, releasing several studio albums with Atlantic Re…
Roy Ayers, American singer-songwriter, keyboard player, vibraphonist, and producer (died 2025)
Junious "Buck" Buchanan was an American professional football player who was a defensive tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs in the American Football League (AFL) and National Footba…
Buck Buchanan, American football player (died 1992)[citation needed]
Theodore Bevry Olson was an American lawyer who served as the 42nd solicitor general of the United States from 2001 to 2004 in the administration of President George W. Bush. He pr…
Theodore Olson, American lawyer (died 2024)
Linda Ann Gray is an American actress, best known for her role as Sue Ellen Ewing, the long-suffering wife of Larry Hagman's character J.R. Ewing on the CBS television drama series…
Linda Gray, American model and actress