September 29 birthdays
1547 MIGUEL DE CERVANTES Spanish author
Cervantes is best known for the book Dom Quixote, which is often regarded as the first modern novel. Part One of Dom Quixote was published in 1605, the second in 1615.
1758 HORATION NELSON British admiral
Nelson’s inspirational leadership brought about a number of decisive British naval victories, particularly during the Napoleonic Wars. he is honoured with the Nelson’s
Column monument in London’s Trafalgar Square.
1901 ENRICO FERMI Italian-american nuclear physicist
Fermi was the creator of the world’s first nuclear reactor. With his colleagues, Fermi filed numerous patents, all of which were taken over by the US Government.
1904 GREER GARSON British actor
Garson was a major star at MGM and became popular during the Second World War. She received seven Academy Award nominations, including a record-equalling five consecutive nominations from 1941 to 1945. She won the Best Actress award for Mrs Miniver.
1934 LANCE GIBBS West Indies cricketer
Gibbs took 309 Test wickets, making him one of the most successful spin bowlers in Test cricket history. He was the second bowler, and first spin bowler, to pass the 300 Test wickets mark. He was inducted in the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2009.
1935 JERRY LEE LEWIS American musician
Lewis made his first recordings in Memphis in 1956. But it was his 1957 hit Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going On that shot Lewis to stardom. His career faltered after he married his 13-year-old cousin. He reignited his career in the late 1960s.
1943 LEC WALESA Polish President
Walesa became the first democratically elected President of Poland since 1926 when he won the 1990 election. Earlier, he was the leader of the Solidarity Movement and led a successful prodemocratic protest which ended Communist rule.