Ho Chi Minh   Vietnam : Father of Vietnamese nation Born : 1890 Died : 1969 Ho Chi Minh is one of those leaders and patriots who lighted the torch of freedom for their countrymen and emancipated them from the tyrannical rule of colonialists and imperialists. For the Vietnamese people; he is as great as Washington, Garibaldi , Mao Tse Tung, Lenin and Gandhi who liberated their people from the yoke...

Giuseppe Garibaldi Italy : The founder of modern Italy Born : 1807 Died : 1882 Garibaldi, the founder of modem Italy, is counted amongst those patriots who gave up their lives to the service of their motherland. He was the symbol of courage and ideal life. He was a valiant fighter, who . was able to fulfil the dreams of Mazzini of a united and strong Italy. Garibaldi was the leader...

Christopher Columbus   Italy : A great navigator Born : 1451 Died : 1506   The Europeans were anxious to find the sea route to Asia, fabled for its silks, condiments and riches. Columbus also dreamt of reaching Asia after crossing the Atlantic Ocean. Born in Genova (Italy) in 1451, he became a sailor at the young age of 14. From his very childhood, the thought of crossing the seas and discovering...

Arthur Schopenhauer   Germany : A great philosopher and ideologist Born : 1788        Died : 1860 Schopenhauer was one of the great philosophers who left an indelible mark of his original thinking for all times to come. Even before his death, his writings and views had become subject of reflection. His thoughts were discussed at length and even today his influence on later day philosophers is discernible. Schopenhauer believed that...

Van Gogh   Holland : A genius posthumously acclaimed Born : 1853        Died : 1890 An incredulous world heard the news that on 30 March, 1987 Christi’s of London auctioned a painting of Van Gogh for the fabulous amount of Rs. 500,000,000. It was one of the seven sunflower, painted by this great artist during his sojourn in south France during January, 1889. This is supposed to be the highest...

Igor F. Stravinsky   Europe : A top musician of Europe Born : 1882          Died : 1971 Russia-born Stravinsky’s name occupies a foremost place amongst the great musicians of Europe. His creations were supposed to have ushered in the age of neo-classicism. Igor Fyodorovich Stravinsky was born at Leningrad (Soviet Union) in the year 1882. His father was an opera singer. Stravinsky got interested in music from...

Henry Moore   Europe : The greatest sculptor of 20th century Born : 1898        Died : 1986   Henry Moore, one of the most talented and acclaimed sculptors of twentieth century, was born in 1898 in a miner’s family. He was the seventh child of his father. Being good at studies, he finished his early education with distinction. After the First World War, he was a student at Leeds Arts...

Madonna   America : A favourite pop singer of American youth Born : 1959 Madonna, who reached the peak of popularity in the field of western music in 1983, was born on 16 August, 1959, at Rochester in America. Her father, Louis Wilson, was an engineer. She did not have a very happy childhood as she had to keep herself busy in small household chores. She got her first lessons in...