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Today in HistoryApril 17
17 notable people were born on this day. Including Georges J.F. Köhler, Karen Blixen, Chavela Vargas and more.
Giovanni Battista Riccioli
1598 – 1671
16th century Italian theologian and astronomer
Karen Blixen
1885 – 1962
Danish author famous for 'Out of Africa,' her memoir about running a coffee plantation in colonial Kenya, later adapted into an Academy Award-winning film.
Chavela Vargas
1919 – 2012
Costa Rican-born Mexican singer who became an icon of ranchera music with her distinctive interpretations of traditional songs. She was known for her androgynous appearance, bohemian lifestyle, and passionate performances over a career spanning seven decades.
Georges J.F. Köhler
1946 – 1995
Nobel laureate: Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (1984)
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