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Charley Pride is an iconic African-American country music singer, songwriter and guitarist who has sold over 70 million records worldwide. He was the first African-American to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and has won numerous awards, including the Country Music Association's Entertainer of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year awards. He has inspired countless artists and helped break down racial barriers in the genre.
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Jane Goodall is a world-renowned primatologist, conservationist and animal rights activist. She is best known for her groundbreaking research on chimpanzees in Tanzania's Gombe Stream National Park, which revolutionized the field of primatology and changed the way we view animals. She has dedicated her life to conservation and animal rights, inspiring generations of scientists and activists.
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Renée Richards is an American ophthalmologist, tennis player, and author who transitioned in 1975 and faced discrimination and prejudice. She sued the USTA and won, allowing her to compete in the U.S. Open as a woman. She had a successful professional tennis career and has since become an advocate for transgender rights.
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Alan Garner is a British fantasy author born in 1934. He is best known for his "Weirdstone Trilogy" and has won numerous awards for his work. His books explore themes such as identity, belonging, and the power of myth and have been adapted for television and stage. Garner has influenced many contemporary fantasy authors and helped revive interest in British folklore and mythology.
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Kath Pettingill was a notorious criminal in Australia in the late 1960s and 1980s. She was the leader of the Pettingill clan, involved in drug trafficking, armed robbery and extortion. In the 1990s, she distanced herself from crime and focused on her family and business interests. She is now remembered for her later efforts to become a positive influence in the Melbourne community.
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Valerie Capers was a pioneering jazz pianist, composer and educator, blending jazz, gospel and classical music. Born in 1940 in the Bronx, New York, she began playing the piano at five and was accepted into the High School of Music and Art. She released her debut album in 1965 and wrote music for television and Broadway. She also taught at the Manhattan School of Music, inspiring and mentoring many young musicians.
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David Prowse was an avid sportsman and actor who was cast as Darth Vader in the original Star Wars trilogy. He also appeared in other films and television shows, wrote books on fitness and nutrition, and served as a goodwill ambassador for the British government. He passed away in 2020 at the age of 85.
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John Laws was a successful radio and television personality in Australia, known for his wit, intelligence and outspoken views. He worked for the BBC, ABC and 2UE, and hosted the "John Laws Morning Show" and "John Laws Show". He was inducted into the Commercial Radio Hall of Fame and awarded the Order of Australia. He established the John Laws Charitable Trust and retired in 2007.
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Iconic Canadian actor Donald Sutherland has been in the entertainment industry for over five decades, appearing in films such as M*A*S*H, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, and The Hunger Games, and television shows such as Dirty Sexy Money and Commander in Chief. He has been nominated for two Academy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, and two Emmy Awards, and has won a BAFTA Award, a Genie Award, and a Primetime Emmy Award. He has also been honored with a number of lifetime achievement awards.
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Amou Haji is an Iranian man believed to be over 160 years old. He was born into poverty and left home at 80 to travel the world. He lives a unique lifestyle, eating raw animals and smoking animal dung. He is active and generous, inspiring many with his resilience and contentment.
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Clarence Carter is an American blues and soul singer, musician, songwriter and record producer. He is best known for his hits "Slip Away" (1968), "Back Door Santa" (1969), and "Patches" (1970). He has been a major influence on many blues and soul singers, including Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, and Wilson Pickett. His music has been covered by many other artists, including Elvis Presley, the Rolling Stones, Dolly Parton, and Bruce Springsteen.
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John Hyde was an influential American politician and lawyer who served in the Illinois House of Representatives and the US House of Representatives. He was a strong advocate for civil service reform and African American rights, and his legacy lives on in the form of the John Hyde Scholarship.
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Wyatt Earp (1848-1929) was an American Old West lawman, gunfighter, and gambler. He is best known for his involvement in the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, which resulted in the deaths of three outlaw cowboys. Earp was acquitted of murder and became a legend in the American West. He is remembered as a symbol of justice and the American frontier.
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Warren Rudman was a respected and influential figure in American politics, known for his commitment to fiscal responsibility and willingness to work across party lines. He served in the US Army during the Korean War and in the New Hampshire State Senate and US Senate. He was a key figure in the passage of the Balanced Budget Act of 1985 and a member of the 9/11 Commission. He passed away in 2012 at the age of 82.
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Marc Andreessen is an American entrepreneur, investor, and software engineer. He co-founded Netscape Communications Corporation and venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, investing in successful tech companies such as Facebook, Airbnb, and Twitter. He is a strong supporter of education, donating millions to various institutions and serving on the boards of Facebook, eBay, and Hewlett-Packard.
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Jan Morris is a Welsh historian, travel writer, and author. She is best known for her books on the British Empire and her travel writing, having written over thirty books, including the Pax Britannica trilogy. She served in the British Army during WWII and attended Oxford University. Her books have been translated into many languages and have sold millions of copies worldwide, earning her numerous awards.
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Violeta Vidaurre is a Chilean-American artist and activist who has been creating art for over two decades. Her vibrant and colorful paintings feature themes of social justice and human rights, and have been exhibited in galleries and museums around the world. She is also an active advocate for social justice and human rights, and her artwork and activism have inspired many people around the world.
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Hans Küng (1928-2021) was a Swiss Catholic theologian, philosopher, and ecumenist who was influential in the Catholic Church's reform movement. He was a professor of theology, prolific writer, and advocate for ecumenism and interreligious dialogue. He was a key figure in the Second Vatican Council and a founding member of the World Council of Churches. His legacy will continue to shape the modern Catholic Church.
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Gary Graffman was a renowned pianist, teacher, and conductor. He was a student of Rudolf Serkin and performed with many of the world's leading orchestras. His recordings of Beethoven, Brahms, and Chopin are considered among the finest ever made. He was also a noted teacher, and his students included Leon Fleisher, Peter Serkin, and Richard Goode. Graffman's legacy lives on in his recordings and students.
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Jean-Marie Le Pen was a French politician and founder of the far-right National Front party. He was a vocal opponent of immigration and multiculturalism, a strong advocate for French nationalism, and a critic of the European Union. He was convicted of inciting racial hatred and retired from politics in 2017. His legacy will continue to be felt for years to come.