Births on March 17

Robin Knox-Johnston

Born on March 17, 1939

Robin Knox-Johnston, English sailor and first person to perform a single-handed non-stop circumnavigation of the globe

Sir William Robert Patrick Knox-Johnston (born 17 March 1939) is a British sailor. In 1969, he became the first person to perform a single-handed non-stop circumnavigation of the globe. Along with Sir Peter Blake, he won the second Jules Verne Trophy, for which they were also named the ISAF Yachtsman of the Year award. In 2007, at the age of 67, he set a record as the oldest yachtsman to complete a round the world solo voyage in the Velux 5 Oceans Race.

References

Robin Knox-Johnston

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Events on 1939

3 Mar

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
In Bombay, Mohandas Gandhi begins a hunger strike in protest at the autocratic rule in British India.
1 Apr

Francisco Franco
Spanish Civil War: Generalísimo Francisco Franco of the Spanish State announces the end of the Spanish Civil War, when the last of the Republican forces surrender.
6 Sep

Nazi Germany
World War II: South Africa declares war on Nazi Germany.
14 Dec

Soviet Union
Winter War: The Soviet Union is expelled from the League of Nations for invading Finland.
24 Dec

Pope Pius XII
World War II: Pope Pius XII makes a Christmas Eve appeal for peace.

Births on March 17

Robin Knox-Johnston

Born on March 17, 1939

References

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Events on 1939

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

Francisco Franco

Nazi Germany

Soviet Union

Pope Pius XII