Swedish actress Anita Ekberg is best known for her role in the comedy-drama film La Dolce Vita. She worked primarily in Italy and later became a citizen of the country. She began modeling as a teenager and eventually entered films as well. Beautiful and voluptuous, she became a popular name within a few years.
The second prime minister of India, Lal Bahadur Shastri, was known for his environmental campaigns and his support for the White Revolution. His slogan "Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan,” during the 1965 Indo-Pakistan War, became immensely popular. He ended the war by signing the Tashkent Agreement, but died a day later.
Alberto Giacometti was a Swiss painter, sculptor, printmaker, and draftsman. Widely regarded as one of the 20th century's most important sculptors, Giacometti's career and his friendship with American writer James Lord inspired the 2017 British-American drama film Final Portrait, in which Alberto Giacometti is portrayed by Australian actor Geoffrey Roy Rush.
Theodor Schwann was a German physiologist and physician best remembered for his important contributions to biology. He is credited with discovering the Schwann cells, which is named after him. He is also credited with discovering pepsin and the organic nature of yeast. Theodor Schwann also invented the term metabolism.
Recipient of Fields Medal and Abel Prize, British-Lebanese mathematician Michael Atiyah emerged as a leading figure in the UK mathematics during the latter half of the 20th century. He specialised in geometry and made remarkable contributions in the fields of geometry, theoretical physics, topology and global analysis, and is best known for proving the Atiyah–Singer index theorem with Isadore Singer.
British doctor Hans Sloane traveled to Jamaica as a personal physician of the 2nd duke of Albermarle and was soon engrossed in the natural species of the region. He documented his collections, and they eventually helped form the British Museum. He is also known as the inventor of drinking chocolate.
Ariel Sharon was the Israeli prime minister from 2001 to 2006. As a commander of the Israeli Army, he had participated in the Palestine War of 1948 and the 1967 Six-Day War. He was removed as the defense minister after he led the massacre of Palestinians in the Lebanon War.
Nigerian statesman and lawyer Chief Ernest Shonekan GCFR, served simultaneously as head of government and head of transitional council under Ibrahim Babangida. Following crisis of Third Republic, the Interim National Government was established with Shonekan as interim Head of State. Shonekan’s largely powerless government was eventually overthrown in the 1993 Nigerian coup d'état led by Defence Minister General Sani Abacha.
Italian military officer Rodolfo Graziani commanded Italy’s Regio Esercito, or Royal Army. He was a fascist figure who held significant political posts under the monarchy of Victor Emmanuel III and then under the leadership of Benito Mussolini. Known for his campaigns in Africa during World War II, he escaped imprisonment for his war crimes.
Celia Sánchez was a Cuban revolutionary, researcher, politician, and archivist. A close colleague of Fidel Castro, Sánchez played an important role in the Cuban Revolution. She was one of the founders of a revolutionary organization called 26th of July Movement. She was also the first woman to become a part of the guerilla. Sánchez is considered a heroine in Cuba.
Known for authoring books such as Memoirs of a Spacewoman and The Conquered, Naomi Mitchison was also a driven socialist. She served as an advisor to Botswana’s Bakgatla tribe and had also been a farmer. Honored with numerous awards and honorary doctorates, she lived till age 101.
Initially a teacher, Dimitar Miladinov later established himself as a major Bulgarian poet and folklorist. He was also a major pillar of the Bulgarian national movement, or the Bulgarian Renaissance. His collection of folk songs is also considered crucial to the growth of Macedonian literature and culture.
Denys Lasdun was a British architect best remembered for designing London's Royal National Theatre, which is one of the finest examples of Brutalist architecture in the United Kingdom. He is also credited with designing many schools and universities. In 1977, Denys Lasdun was honored with the prestigious Royal Gold Medal by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).
Marcella Sembrich was a Polish singer remembered for her charm, precise intonation, vocal fluidity, portamento, and impressive range of two-and-a-half octaves. Sembrich, whose voice was described as flute-like, had an illustrious singing career at London's Royal Opera House and the New York Metropolitan Opera. Off stage, Marcella Sembrich was a philanthropist and dedicated teacher.
Legendary Finnish track and field athlete Hannes Kolehmainen was one of the Flying Finns and had won 4 Olympic gold medals and a silver. Known for undergoing rigorous training sessions, he also maintained a vegetarian diet. Though a bricklayer by profession, he had a sports-loving family and 2 brothers who were long-distance runners.

