The Ashes Urn

Cuauhtémoc, the last aztec emperor, died on this day 495 years ago, aged 28.

Leonard Nimoy, who lived long and prospered, died on this day 5 years ago, aged 83.

Elijah Muhammad stopped his preaching on this day 45 years ago, aged 77.

Robert Fulton, inventor of the first commercial steamboat, died on this day 205 years ago, aged 49.

Stan Laurel got in a big mess on this day 55 years ago, aged 74.

Scottish geologist Charles Lyell died on this day 145 years ago, aged 77.

Malcolm X lost his black power on this day 55 years ago, aged 39.

Actress Sandra Dee died on this day 15 years ago, aged 62.

Highway to hell for Bon Scott on this day 40 years ago, aged 33.

End of the outlaws for Frank James on this day 105 years ago, aged 72.

Graham Sutherland, English painter, famous for his paintings about World War II, died on this day 40 years ago, aged 76.

Actress Nicole Dehuff died on this day 15 years ago, aged 30.

No more smiles for Nat King Cole on this day 55 years ago, aged 45.

Singer Doug Fieger died on this day 10 years ago, aged 57.

Dallas Cowboys coach Tom Landry died on this day 20 years ago, aged 75.

René Descartes stopped thinking on this day 370 years ago, aged 53.

No more places to go for Jim Varney after this day 20 years ago, aged 50.

A deadly catch for Phil Harris on this day 10 years ago, aged 53.

William Lyons, known as Mr. Jaguar, died on this day 35 years ago, aged 83.

End of the slow ride for Dave Peverett on this day 20 years ago, aged 56.

Anti-apartheid South African writer André Brink died on this day 5 years ago, aged 79.

Doug McClure stopped riding horses on this day 25 years ago, aged 59.

Louis Jordan moved to the outskirts of town on this day 45 years ago, aged 66.

William D. Coolidge, American physicist and engineer, who made major contributions to x-ray machines, died on this day 45 years ago, aged 101.

Bertrand Russell ended all his analysis on this day 50 years ago, aged 97.