Origins & Early Life

Moshe Dayan (Hebrew: משה דיין‎; 20 May 1915 – 16 October 1981) was an Israeli military leader and politician. As commander of the Jerusalem front in the 1948 Arab–Israeli War, Chief of the General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces (1953–1958) during the 1956 Sinai War, and as Defense Minister during the Six-Day War in 1967, he became a worldwide fighting symbol of the state of Israel. In the 1930s, Dayan joined the Haganah, the pre-state Jewish defense force of Mandatory Palestine. He served in the Special Night Squads under Orde Wingate during the Arab revolt in Palestine and later lost an eye to a sniper in a raid on Vichy forces in Lebanon during World War II.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Dayan was close to David Ben-Gurion and joined him in leaving the Mapai party and setting up the Rafi party in 1965 with Shimon Peres. Dayan became Defense Minister just before the 1967 Six-Day War. During and after Yom Kippur War of late 1973, during which Dayan served as Defense Minister, he was blamed for the lack of preparedness, and he resigned along with the rest of Golda Meir's government in early 1974. In 1977, following the election of Menachem Begin as Prime Minister, Dayan was expelled from the Israeli Labor Party...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• A. A. K. Niazi — Contemporary (Born in 1915) (1915): Pakistani general who commanded Eastern Command during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.
• Abba Eban — Contemporary (Born in 1915) (1915): Israeli diplomat, politician, and scholar of Arabic and Hebrew languages.
• Alan Watts — Contemporary (Born in 1915) (1915): Philosopher and lecturer popularizing Eastern thought for the West.
• Abigail Spencer — Contemporary (Born in 1981) (1981): American actress, producer, and writer known for roles in soap operas and dramas.
• Alicia Keys — Contemporary (Born in 1981) (1981): Award-winning pianist and vocalist known for her soulful R&B sound.
• Anwar Sadat — Contemporary (Died in 1981) (1981): Egyptian President who spearheaded economic reform and the peace treaty with Israel.
• Allan Nevins — Shared historical date (05-20 · Born) (1890): Pioneering American historian known for Civil War studies and business history.
• Andrew Scheer — Shared historical date (05-20 · Born) (1979): Canadian politician, former leader of the Conservative Party of Canada.
• Ahmad Shah Durrani — Shared historical date (10-16 · Died) (1772): Founder of the Durrani Empire and modern Afghanistan's first ruler.
• Andreas Vesalius — Shared historical date (10-16 · Died) (1564): Founder of modern human anatomy, revolutionized medical science with detailed publications.
• 1915 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1915
• May 20 (05-20) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on May 20
• 1981 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1981
• October 16 (10-16) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on October 16