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Junípero Serra was a Roman Catholic priest who is credited with founding the Franciscan Missions of the Sierra Gorda. He is also credited with founding nine of the 21 Spanish missions in California. On 25 September 1988, Junípero Serra was beatified in the Vatican City by Pope John Paul II. On 23 September 2015, he was canonized by Pope Francis.
Spanish pianist Manuel de Falla, known for his musical nationalism, was one of the most influential composers of the 20th century. Born in Cádiz, Falla initially learned playing the piano from his mother, and later went to Madrid for further training. His work also took him to France and Argentina.
Spanish retired professional footballer José Manuel Pinto Colorado made his La Liga debut with RC Celta de Vigo and won the Ricardo Zamora Trophy with the team. He later signed with Barcelona and went on to win sixteen major titles with the team, including four national championships and two Champions Leagues.
Francisco Tárrega was a Spanish composer and classical guitarist active during the Romantic period. He is often considered the father of classical guitar and is counted among the greatest guitarists of all time. He loved music from an early age and was able to build a successful career with his father’s encouragement. He died at the peak of his career.
Charles II of Spain reigned as the king of Spain from 1665 to 1700. He was the last king from the House of Habsburg to rule the Spanish Empire. Despite suffering from many illnesses throughout his life, Charles proved to be a reasonably influential king. The town of Charleroi and the Caroline Islands in modern Belgium were named after Charles.
Alfonso X had served as the king of Castile and Leon in the 13th century. A patron of scholars, he readily participated in editing and writing their treatises. Apart from encouraging law and science, he also penned Galician poetry and established the Siete partidas law code, inspired by Roman law.
Joaquín Rodrigo was a Spanish composer and a virtuoso pianist best known for composing the Concierto de Aranjuez. He lost his sight as a child and was encouraged by his parents to study music. He excelled in his musical education and began composing in braille as a young man. In 1983, he was awarded the Premio Nacional de Música.
Prince Carlos of Bourbon-Two Sicilies was nephew of Francis II, the last King of the Two Sicilies. Carlos was given the title of Infante of Spain before his marriage to Mercedes, Princess of Asturias, daughter of the late King Alfonso XII of Spain. Carlos served the Spanish Army during the Spanish–American War and was later promoted as Inspector General.
The daughter of soprano Montserrat Caballé and tenor Bernabé Martí, Montserrat Martí, or Montsita, is a renowned Spanish soprano in her own right. Known for playing roles such as Zerlina in Mozart’s Don Giovanni, she has also been part of many charitable concerts. She has also sung with her mother.
Fernando Verdasco is a Spanish tennis player best known for his participation in the 2009 Australian Open semifinal, which is often counted among the greatest Grand Slam semifinals in the history of the open era. Fernando Verdasco is also renowned for his efforts that earned Spain the prestigious Davis Cup in 2008, 2009, and 2011.
Spanish Baroque dramatist Lope de Vega was one of the most significant figures of the Spanish Golden Age. He had initially aspired to be a priest but abandoned his plans after falling in love with a married woman. He is best remembered for works such as The Dog in the Manger.
Spanish actor and TV presenter Concha Velasco initially trained in dance and performed in a revue with Celia Gámez. She later gained fame with films such as Tormento and was critically praised for her performance as Teresa of Ávila in the mini-series Teresa de Jesús.
Lope de Aguirre was a Spanish conquistador who lived and worked in South America. Dubbed the Madman, Aguirre is best remembered for his final expedition in search of Omagua and a mythical golden Kingdom known as El Dorado. Lope de Aguirre was killed during his last expedition down the Amazon River. Over the years, he has been antagonized in arts.
Swiss-born sports executive Joan Gamper is best remembered as the founder of the legendary football club FC Barcelona. A sports enthusiast since his childhood, he excelled in many sports, such as football, golf, and tennis. He died of suicide at age 52, apparently driven by depression related to financial issues.
A retired war correspondent and best-selling author, Arturo Pérez-Reverte Gutiérrez began his writing career while serving as a journalist, publishing his first novel, El hussar, set during the Napoleon Wars, at the age of thirty-five. Outside Spain, he is best known for his Captain Alatriste series, which contains seven novels set around a seventeenth century soldier of the same name.
Cecilia Gessa is a Spanish actress, director, producer, and former pornographic actress. Gessa, who was born into an artistic family, received training in acting, dancing, and singing. Apart from being a film personality, Cecilia Gessa also directs and manages her own event management company named Gessas’ Events Company.
One of the main figures of the Ẓāhirī school of jurisprudence, Ibn Hazm had penned masterpieces such as The Ring of the Dove. The Spanish Muslim polymath was from an influential family and grew up to write on varied topics, such as history, religion, medicine, and ethics.
Francisco de Zurbarán was a Spanish painter known primarily for his religious paintings depicting monks, nuns, and martyrs. He was also famous for his still-lifes. His forceful use of the chiaroscuro style of painting gained him the nickname "Spanish Caravaggio." He was much respected during his lifetime and was appointed painter to King Philip IV.
