June 19

Deaths - Business Leaders

1865day.year

Evangelos Zappas

(1800 - 1865)

Greek-Romanian businessman and philanthropist

Greek-Romanian businessman and philanthropist
Greek-Romanian philanthropist whose endowment helped revive the Olympic Games in the 19th century.
Evangelos Zappas was born in 1800 in Labove, then part of the Ottoman Empire, and made his fortune in Romania through land and business ventures. A passionate supporter of Hellenism, he financed the Zappas Olympics held in Athens in 1859 and 1870, precursors to the modern Olympic Games. He also funded schools, libraries, and scientific institutions in Greece. Zappas established the foundation that funded the construction of the Olympic Stadium and advanced education reform. His philanthropic vision laid important groundwork for the revival of athletic and cultural traditions.
1865 Evangelos Zappas
1956day.year

Thomas J. Watson

(1874 - 1956)

American businessman

American businessman
American businessman who transformed IBM into a leading global technology company.
Thomas J. Watson was born in 1874 in Campbell, New York, and began his career at National Cash Register. He later formed the Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company, which he renamed IBM in 1924. Under his leadership, IBM introduced groundbreaking products like electric typewriters and punched card systems. Watson emphasized salesmanship, employee loyalty, and innovation, creating a corporate culture that valued discipline and customer service. His vision paved the way for IBM’s rise to global prominence in computing. He died on June 19, 1956, and is remembered as a pioneer of the technology industry.
1956 Thomas J. Watson