• 1440 - Ivan III, the Great, Russian czar (1462-1505)/conquered Lithuania
• 1561 - Francis Bacon, England, statesman/essayist (Novum Organum)
• 1571 - Robert Bruce Cotton, English antiquary, politician
• 1592 - Pierre Gassendi, Champtercier Provence, scientist/philosopher
• 1649 - Pascal Collasse, composer
• 1655 - Geleyn Evertsen, lt-admiral (Zealand)
• 1707 - Carl Hockh, composer
• 1709 - Joseph Reipel, composer
• 1727 - Claude-Benigne Balbastre, composer
• 1729 - G E Lessing, writer
• 1729 - Giuseppe Luigi Tibaldi, composer
• 1729 - Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, Germany, critic/dramatist
• 1748 - Lewis Edson, composer
• 1753 - Peter Fuchs, composer
• 1756 - Vincenzo Righini, composer
• 1766 - Antoine-Vincent Arnault, French writer (Les V‚nitiens)
• 1779 - Stefano Pavesi, composer
• 1781 - Fran‡ois-Antoine Habeneck, composer
• 1788 - Lord [George Gordon Noel] Byron, England, romantic poet (Don Juan)
• 1800 - Nat Turner, slave that revolted [or Oct 2]
• 1802 - Richard Upjohn, US, gothic architect (Trinity Chapel, NY)
• 1815 - Ferdinand Christian Wilhelm Praeger, composer
• 1820 - Hermann von Lingg, German playwright/poet
• 1820 - Johan Hendrik Koelman, portrait painter (Jahresringe)
• 1824 - Josef Leopold Zvonar, composer
• 1826 - [Merriwether] Jeff Thompson, Partisan (Confederate Army), died in 1876
• 1842 - Charles Henri Marechal, composer
• 1845 - Jacob Verdam, Dutch philologist
• 1845 - Paul Vidal de la Blanche, France, geographer
• 1848 - Samuel Muller Fzn, Dutch historian/archivist (Middle Ages)
• 1849 - August Strindberg, Sweden, dramatist/novelist (Apologia)
• 1855 - Ernst Kullak, composer
• 1858 - Beatrice Potter Webb, England, economist
• 1858 - Frederick Lugard, British captain/baron (Congo)
• 1861 - Karel Stecker, composer
• 1865 - Friedrich Paschen, German physicist
• 1870 - Charles Arnold Tournemire, composer
• 1871 - Leon Jessel, composer
• 1874 - Wincenty Witoz, Galicia, PM of Poland (1920-21, 1923, 1926)
• 1875 - Bonifacius C de Jonge, governor (Dutch East Indies)
• 1875 - D[avid] W Griffith, movie producer/director (Birth of a Nation)
• 1875 - Thomas W Ross, actor (Without Limit, Kings Row, 17, Mortal Storm)
• 1877 - Hjalmar Schacht, president of German Reichsbank/minister of Economics
• 1878 - Constance Collier, Windsor England, actress/writer (Kitty, Whirlpool)
• 1878 - Francis Picabia, French painter/illustrator
• 1886 - John Joseph Becker, composer
• 1890 - Fred M Vinson, Ky, 13th Chief Justice of US Supreme Court (1946-53)
• 1891 - Franz Alexander, Hungarian/US psycho analytical
• 1891 - Moise Kisling, Polish/French painter (La Souris Boiteuse)
• 1892 - Marcel Dassault, [Bloch], French airplane builder
• 1893 - Conrad Veidt, Potsdam Germany, actor (Cabinet of Dr Calgary)
• 1894 - Charles Morgan, England, writer (Fountain)
• 1894 - Matt McHugh, PA, actor (Taxi, Freaks, Barbary Coast, Innocent Affair)
• 1897 - Josef Stanislav, composer
• 1897 - Rosa Ponselle, opera diva (Casta Diva, La Forza del Destino)
• 1898 - Alexander Abramsky, composer
• 1898 - Ben van Eysselsteijn, Dutch writer (Arid Earth)
• 1898 - Gustaf Paulson, composer
• 1898 - Hans van Werveke, Flemish historian (Diocese Terwaan)
• 1898 - Ross R Barnett, lawyer/(Gov-D-Miss)
• 1899 - Guido Kisch, Czech/German/US historian (Jews in medieval Germany)
• 1899 - Martti Haavio, [P Mastap„„], Finnish linguist/poet
• 1900 - Franz Salmhofer, composer
• 1901 - Hans-Erich Apostel, Austrian composer (Sonata Ritmica)
• 1903 - Robin Humphrey Milford, composer
• 1904 - George Balanchine, composer/choreographer [OS=Jan 9]
• 1906 - Robert E[rvin] Howard, US, sci-fi author (Conan the Conqueror)
• 1906 - Willa B Brown (Coffey), US black air pioneer (NAAA)
• 1907 - Marie Dressler, actress (Anna Christie, Dinner at 8)
• 1909 - Ann Sothern, [Harriette Lake], ND, actress (Lady in a Cage)
• 1909 - Lev D Landau, Russian physicist (Nobel 1962)
• 1909 - [Sithu] U Thant, Burma, 3rd UN sec-genl (1962-72)
• 1911 - Bruno Kreisky, Austria, bandleader/chancellor (1970-83)
• 1911 - Roberto Garcia Morillo, composer
• 1913 - Verdina Shlonsky, composer
• 1914 - Dimitri Dragatakis, composer
• 1914 - Suzanne Danco, Belgian singer
• 1915 - Tom Burtt, cricketer (slow left-armer took 33 wickets for NZ)
• 1916 - Henri Dutilleux, Angers France, composer
• 1917 - Albert "Pud" Brown, clarinetist/saxophonist
• 1917 - Herwig Hensen, [Flor Mielants], Flemish poet/playwright
• 1918 - Richard Eastham, Opelousas La, actor (Falcon Crest) [or Jun 22]
• 1920 - George Breakston, Paris France, actor/director (Jungle Stampede)
• 1920 - Piet Van Lishout, Flemish writer (Eva & I)
• 1920 - William Warfield, singer (Show Boat)
• 1921 - Andre Hodeir, composer
• 1921 - Andy Ganteaume, cricketer (WI batsman, 112 in only Test innings 1948)
• 1922 - Howard Moss, poet/editor (New Yorker)
• 1923 - Diana Douglas, Devonshire Bermuda, actress (The Cowboys)
• 1923 - Friedrich Zehm, composer
• 1923 - Leslie Bassett, composer
• 1924 - J J Johnson, composer/jazz trombonist
• 1924 - Margaret Whiting, big band singer
• 1925 - Leslie Silver, English paint manufacturer/multi-millionaire
• 1926 - Lord Erskine of Rerrick, peer
• 1926 - Tom Blackburn, writer
• 1927 - Joe Perry, NFL Hall-of-Famer
• 1927 - Lou Creekmur, Baseball Hall-of-Famer
• 1928 - Birch Bayh, (Sen-D-Ind)
• 1929 - Rita Gillespie, TV director
• 1931 - Galina Zybina, USSR, discus thrower (15 world records between 1952-58)
• 1931 - Rauno M„kinen, Finland, Greco-Roman featherweight (Olympic-gold-1956)
• 1932 - Piper Laurie, [Rosetta Jacobs], Detroit Mich, actress (Twin Peaks)
• 1934 - Bill Bixby, SF Calif, actor (Incredible Hulk, My Favorite Martian)
• 1934 - Graham Kerr, chef (Galloping Gourmet)
• 1935 - Pierre S Du Pont IV, (gov-Del)
• 1935 - Sam Cooke, Chicago Ill, soul singer (Sam & Dave-You Send Me)
• 1935 - Seymour Cassel, Detroit, actor (Faces, Plain Clothes, Valentino)
• 1937 - Ed‚n Pastora G¢mez, Nicaraguan contra leader
• 1937 - Joseph Wambaugh, East Pittsburgh Pa, police writer (Onion Fields)
• 1940 - Addie "Micki" Harris, Passaic NJ, singer (Shirelles-Soldier Boy)
• 1940 - John Hurt, England, actor (Elephant Man, Alien, Midnight Express)
• 1940 - Tilo Medek, German composer
• 1943 - H James "Jim" Saxton, (Rep-R-NJ, 1984- )
• 1945 - Michael Cristofer, actor/writer (Little Drummer Girl)
• 1945 - Oliver, rocker
• 1946 - Andrew Rubin, New Bedford Mass, actor (Hometown, Joe Bash) [or Jun 22]
• 1949 - James P Pennington, rocker (Exile)
• 1949 - Rein P Hummel, Dutch MP (PvdA)
• 1949 - Steve Perry, Hanford Calif, vocalist (Journey-Open Arms, Oh Sherry)
• 1952 - Karen Moe [Thornton], US swimmer (Olympics-gold-1972)
• 1952 - Teddy Gentry, Fort Payne Ala, country music star (Alabama-Mt Music)
• 1953 - Myung-Whun Chung, Seoul South Korea, pianist/conductor
• 1954 - Chris Lemmon, LA Calif, actor (Brothers & Sisters, Duet) [or Jun 22]
• 1955 - Thomas David Jones, Balt Md, PhD/Astronaut (STS 59, 68, 80, sk: 98)
• 1956 - Becky Pearson, LPGA golfer
• 1957 - Mike Bossy, NHL forward (NY Islanders), 1st 50 goals in 50 game
• 1959 - Linda Blair, St Louis Mo, actress (Exorcist, Chained Heat, Savage St)
• 1960 - Michael Hutchence, Australia, rock vocalist/actor (INXS-Dogs in Space)
• 1961 - Barb Thomas Whitehead, Sibley IA, LPGA golfer (1995 Hawaiian Open)
• 1962 - Robert Mailhouse, New Haven Ct, actor (Brian-Days of our Life)
• 1963 - Jeff Treadway, US baseball infielder (LA Dodgers)
• 1964 - Ann Rowe, Auburn Maine, Miss Maine-America (1991)
• 1964 - Maria Ellingsen, Reykjavik Iceland, actress (Katrina-Santa Barbara)
• 1964 - Stojko Vrankovic, NBA center (LA Clippers)
• 1964 - Wayne Kirby, Williamsburg VA, outfielder (Cleve Indians, LA Dodgers)
• 1965 - Jazzy Jeff Townes, rapper (Parents Just Don't Understand)
• 1965 - Ray Mayhew, rocker (Sigue Sigue Sputnik-Love Missile F-111)
• 1965 - Steven Adler, Cleveland Ohio, drummer (Guns & Roses-Sweet Child)
• 1965 - Tim Prukop, WLAF linebacker-secondary coach (Amsterdam Admirals)
• 1966 - Carlton Haselrig, NFL guard (NY Jets)
• 1966 - Nishantha Ranatunga, cricket (bro of Arjuna Sri Lankan ODI allrounder)
• 1967 - Manabu Nakanishi, wrestler (NJPW)
• 1967 - Nicholas Gillingham, British swimmer (world record 200m freestyle)
• 1967 - Olivia d'Abo, London England, actress (Wonder Years, Single Guy)
• 1968 - Andrey Sokolov, hockey defenseman (Team Kazakhstan Oly-1998)
• 1968 - Brian Jones, NFL linebacker (NO Saints)
• 1969 - Christina Marie Leardini, St Petersburg Fla, playmate (Apr, 1991)
• 1969 - Keith Gordon, US baseball outfielder (Cincinnati Reds)
• 1969 - Ousmane Bary, WLAF cornerback (Barcelona Dragons)
• 1969 - Shelley Sandie, Australian basketball guard (Olympics-88, 96)
• 1969 - Vinnie Clark, NFL cornerback (Jacksonville Jaguars)
• 1970 - Brian Gaskill, actor (David Michaels-Models Inc, Bob-All My Children)
• 1970 - Keith Wagner, NFL/WLAF tackle (NY Giants, Redskins, Scot Claymores)
• 1971 - Bucky Brooks, wide receiver (Jacksonville Jaguars)
• 1971 - Jennifer Christine Joseph, Wendover Nev, Miss America-Nevada (1996)
• 1972 - Steve Scifres, guard/tackle (Dallas Cowboys)
• 1972 - Toddrick McIntosh, NFL defensive end (Tampa Bay Bucs)
• 1973 - Deon Minor, Paris Texas, 400m runner
• 1973 - George Noga, CFL linebacker (Winnipeg Blue Bombers)
• 1973 - Reggie Barlow, wide receiver (Jacksonville Jaguars)
• 1973 - Said Larossi, soccer player (Emmen/Vitesse)
• 1973 - Vincent Bradford, linebacker (San Francisco 49ers)
• 1974 - Pavel Mikhalevitch, soccer player (NEC)
• 1974 - Stephanie Rottier, St Niklaas Belgium, tennis star (1995 semi Prague)
• 1975 - Lee Maxwell Francis Vertongen, Palmerston North NZ, cyclist (Oly-96)
• 1976 - Balthazar Getty, actor (Young Guns 2, Lord of the Flies)
• 1979 - Melanie Winiger, Miss Switzerland Universe (1997)
• 1982 - Kevin Sheridan, actor (Soul Man)
• 2179 - Hikaru Walter Sulu, SF, California (character on Star Trek)

Famous deaths for this day ..

• 1336 - Louis III, last Earl of Loon, dies
• 1531 - Andrea del Sarto, Italian painter, dies at 44
• 1552 - Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset, beheaded for treason
• 1581 - Joost de Damhoudere, Flemish lawyer, dies
• 1581 - Seerp Galama, Dutch nobleman/military/politician, dies at 52
• 1599 - Cristofano Malvezzi, composer, dies at 51
• 1640 - Erasmus Quellinus I, Flemish wood carver, dies at about 55
• 1700 - Jacob Balthasar Schutz, composer, dies at 39
• 1781 - Johann Siebenkas, composer, dies at 66
• 1796 - Bernhard Hupfeld, composer, dies at 78
• 1798 - Lewis Morris, US farmer (signed Decl of Independence), dies at 71
• 1798 - Matija A Reljkovic, Croatian writer (Satire of Wild Man), dies at 66
• 1799 - Horace B de Saussure, Swiss physicist/geologist/alpinist, dies at 58
• 1847 - Georges-Julien Sieber, composer, dies at 71
• 1850 - Vincenzo Pallotti, Italian saint, dies at 54
• 1852 - George Rodwell, composer, dies at 51
• 1868 - Moritz Ganz, composer, dies at 61
• 1879 - Anthony Durnford, British colonel, dies in battle
• 1879 - George Shepstone, British political affiliate, dies in battle
• 1893 - Vincenz Lachner, composer, dies at 81
• 1895 - Edward Solomon, composer, dies at 39
• 1901 - Victoria, [Alexandrine], Britain's Queen (1837-1901), dies at 81
• 1909 - Richard A C E Erlenmeyer, German chemist, dies at 83
• 1913 - Ferdinand van der Haeghen, Flemish librarian/bibliographer, dies at 82
• 1914 - Frederik Rung, composer, dies at 60
• 1916 - Iwan Knorr, composer, dies at 63
• 1922 - Benedictus XV, [Giacomo Markies D Chiesa], pope (1914-22), dies at 67
• 1923 - Max Nordau, [Sdfeld], German physician/zionists leader, dies at 73
• 1924 - Maurice du Plessys, French poet (Le Feu Sacr‚), dies at 59
• 1936 - Louis Glass, composer, dies at 71
• 1942 - Reimond Tollenaere, leader Flemishch Natl Front, dies at 81
• 1942 - Walter Richard Sickert, British painter (Free House!), dies at 81
• 1945 - A Wolfenstein, writer, dies at 61
• 1945 - Carlo Felice Boghen, composer, dies a day before 76th birthday
• 1945 - Else Lasker-Schler, writer, dies at 48
• 1945 - Johan Eykman, theologist (World Church), dies at 52
• 1950 - Alan Hale, actor (Little John-Adv of Robin Hood), dies at 57
• 1951 - Eastwood Lane, composer, dies at 71
• 1952 - Roger Vitrac, French poet/dramatist (Mysteries of Love), dies at 52
• 1956 - P A M Speet, Dutch broadcast CEO (KRO), dies
• 1959 - A J Else Mauhs, German/Dutch actress (Hamlet, Nora), dies at 73
• 1964 - Marc Blitzstein, US composer (Cradle Will Rock), dies at 58
• 1966 - Herbert Marshall, actor (Dark Angel, Duel in the Sun), dies at 75
• 1967 - Jobyna Ralston, actress (Wings, Girl Shy, Freshman), dies at 66
• 1968 - Duke Kahanamoku, 100m swimmer (Olympics-3 gold-12, 20, 24), dies at 77
• 1969 - Judy Garland, singer/actress (Wizard of Oz), dies at 48 of an overdose
• 1973 - Lyndon B Johnson, president (1963-69), dies at his Texas ranch at 64
• 1974 - Leon Lontoc, actor (Henry-Burke's Law), dies at 64
• 1975 - Klaas Voskuil, Dutch journalist, dies at 79
• 1978 - Herbert Sutcliffe, cricketer (54 Tests for England 4555 runs), dies
• 1979 - Ali Hassan Salameh, [Abu Hassan], killed by car bomb; believed to have helped mastermind massacre of 1972 Munich Olympics athletes
• 1980 - Iris Meredith, actress (Lawless Land, Gambling Terror), dies at 64
• 1981 - Fannie Thomas, US, dies at 113
• 1982 - Eduardo Frei Montalva, president of Chile (1964-70), dies at 71
• 1983 - Fred Bakewell, cricketer (dashing England bat of 30s, 6 Tests), dies
• 1987 - R Budd Dwyer, Penns State Treasurer, facing prison for conspiracy & perjury, shot himself to death at a televised news conference
• 1988 - Georgi M Malenkov, Russian premier (1953-55), dies at 86
• 1988 - Parker Fennelly, actor (Kettles on Old MacDonald's Farm), dies at 96
• 1992 - A J Antoon, director (That Championship Season), dies at 47
• 1992 - Ali Amini, PM of Iran (1961-62), dies
• 1993 - Alexander Bodon, Hung-Dutch architect (RAI, Dollywood), dies at 86
• 1993 - Charlie Gehringer, baseball player, dies at 89
• 1993 - Kobo Abe, Japanese writer (Wife in the Sand), dies at 68
• 1993 - Maria Vlamynck, Flemish author, dies at 75
• 1994 - Frances Gifford, dies of emphysema, at 71
• 1994 - Irving B Kahn, inventer (teleprompter), dies at 76
• 1994 - Jean-Louis Barrault, French actor (La Ronde), dies at 83
• 1994 - Telly Savalas, actor (Kojak), dies of prostate cancer at 70
• 1995 - Christopher Francis Palmer, orchestrator/Author, dies at 48
• 1995 - Mahmoud Sayed Selim, Egyptian moslim leader, shot to death at 29
• 1995 - Margaret Barbara Lambert, British historian (Saar), dies at 88
• 1995 - Nico Adriaans, founder of Rotterdam Junkiebond, dies of AIDS at 37
• 1995 - Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy, mother of pres John F Kennedy, dies at 104
• 1996 - Edward Thomas, historian/intelligence expert, dies at 77
• 1996 - Efua Theodore Sutherland, writer, dies at 71
• 1996 - Mabel Leigh, potter, dies at 80
• 1996 - Yisrael Eldad, extremist politician, dies at 85
• 1997 - Ian Arthur Hoyle Munro, medical journalist, dies at 73
• 1997 - Irwin Levine, composer (Tie a Yellow Ribbon), dies at 58
• 1997 - Mollie Panter-Downes, writer , dies at 90
• 1997 - Wally Whyton, musician/broadcaster, dies at 66