Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Stepan Bandera

Role / Field:

Ukrainian far-right nationalist leader, key figure in the OUN-B.

Born:

1909-01-01

Died:

1959-10-15

Century / Era:

1909s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Stepan Andriiovych Bandera (1 January 1909 – 15 October 1959) was a Ukrainian far-right leader of the radical militant faction of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists, the OUN-B. Bandera was born into the family of a Ukrainian Greek Catholic priest in the Austro-Hungarian region of Galicia, which after World War I became part of Poland. Involved in nationalist organisations from a young age, he joined the Ukrainian Military Organisation in 1924. In 1931, he became head of propaganda of the Organisation of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN), and later became head of the OUN for Poland in 1932.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

In 1934, he organised the assassination of the Polish interior minister, Bronisław Pieracki, for which he was sentenced to death for terrorism, subsequently commuted to life imprisonment. During the invasion of Poland in 1939, Bandera left custody amidst the turmoil, moving on to Kraków. In 1940, the OUN split into two factions with Bandera leading the more radical faction, the OUN-B, in opposition to the OUN-M. Bandera's OUN-B was devoted to the establishment of an independent Ukrainian state, envisioned by him as "a one-party fascist dictatorship free of national minorities" according to Timothy...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

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

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Albert R. Broccoli — Contemporary (Born in 1909) (1909): Pioneering American film producer, best known for developing the James Bond franchise.
• Barry Goldwater — Contemporary (Born in 1909) (1909): Conservative Senator and Presidential Nominee who championed modern American conservatism.
• Benny Goodman — Contemporary (Born in 1909) (1909): Pioneering jazz clarinetist, bandleader, and the celebrated 'King of Swing'.
• Abraham Flexner — Contemporary (Died in 1959) (1959): Pioneering American educator known for reforming US and Canadian medical and higher education.
• Ahlam Mosteghanemi — Contemporary (Born in 1959) (1959): Pioneering Algerian poet and novelist, celebrated for her evocative Arabic literature.
• Albert Namatjira — Contemporary (Died in 1959) (1959): Pioneering Arrernte painter, famous for Western-influenced watercolour depictions of the Australian outback.
• Abdul Basit 'Abd us-Samad — Shared historical date (01-01 · Born) (1927): Renowned Egyptian Quran reciter, celebrated for his melodious and emotionally engaging style.
• Alfred Stieglitz — Shared historical date (01-01 · Born) (1864): Pioneering American photographer and art promoter who elevated photography to fine art.
• A. P. J. Abdul Kalam — Shared historical date (10-15 · Born) (1931): Visionary aerospace engineer, scientist, and former President of India.
• Abd al-Rahman III — Shared historical date (10-15 · Died) (961): Founder of the Caliphate of Córdoba, a period of immense Islamic cultural zenith.
• 1909 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1909
• January 1 (01-01) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on January 1
• 1959 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1959
• October 15 (10-15) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on October 15

Frequently Asked Questions about Stepan Bandera