About Valdas Adamkus
Valdas Adamkus (born Voldemaras Adamkavičius; 3 November 1926) is a Lithuanian politician, diplomat and civil engineer and an American civil servant. He served as the fifth and seventh president of Lithuania from 1998 to 2003 and again from 2004 to 2009. Adamkus' first tenure as president lasted for five years, from 26 February 1998 to 26 February 2003, following his defeat by Rolandas Paksas in the 2003 presidential election. Paksas was later impeached and removed from office by a parliamentary vote on 6 April 2004. Soon afterwards, when a new election was announced, Adamkus again ran for president and was re-elected. His approval ratings increased during this period and he became a highly regarded moral authority in the state. He was succeeded as president on 12 July 2009 by Dalia Grybauskaitė. He is considered by some as being one of the best Lithuanian leaders in modern history. He was married to Alma Adamkienė, who was involved in charitable activities in Lithuania. Following the end of his term as president, Adamkus remained involved in international development, and is a member of the European Academy of Diplomacy. As a young man, Adamkus joined the underground resistance against the first Soviet occupation of Lithuania in 1940. He also set the national record for running 100 meters.
Biography source: Wikipedia. The profile adds birthday-specific historical context from the Celebs Birthday Today editorial database.