Gamal Abdel NasserPresident of Egypt / Political Leader Born: 15
January 1918 Died: 28 September 1970 Birthplace: Alexandria,
Egypt Best known as: Leader of Egypt, 1956-70 Gamal Abdel Nasser
(Gamal Abd El-Nasser) led Egypt to secular independence in the
1950s and held the office of president from 1956 until his death
in 1970. Nasser was an army officer who led the military Junta
that deposed Egypt's King Farouk in 1952. By the end of 1954
Nasser had replaced titular leader General Mohammed Neguib as
president. Nasser is remembered for his ambitious attempt to
modernize Egypt and create a secular Arab empire in northern
Africa and the Middle East. He promoted the construction of the
Aswan High Dam (completed the year he died) and challenged
British, French and Israeli forces for control of the Suez
canal, nationalizing the canal in 1956. Nasser had a knack for
turning military failure into political victory -- defeated by
Israel in 1956 in the Sinai Peninsula and humiliated in 1967's
Six Day War (June 5-11), h