• 1422 - William Caxton, 1st English printer (Histories of Troy)
• 1617 - Johann A Quenstedt, German Lutherian theologist
• 1655 - Johann Christoph Denner, inventor (clarinet)
• 1692 - Anton Simon Ignaz Praelisauer, composer
• 1704 - Lorenzo Fago, composer
• 1717 - Christoph Nichelsmann, German composer
• 1721 - Francis Ireland, composer
• 1747 - Adrien-Joseph van Helmont, composer
• 1748 - Pieter L van de Kasteele, Dutch politician/patriot
• 1802 - Nikolaus Lenau, Hungary, German poet (Faust, Die Albigenser)
• 1814 - Anders Jonas ngstr”m, Sweden, physicist (spectroscope)
• 1817 - Karoly Thern, composer
• 1818 - Lucy Blackwell-Stone, US abolitionist (US Woman's Suffrage Assn)
• 1819 - George Gabriel Stokes, physicist/mathematician (spectroscope)
• 1820 - George Grove, London, England, biblical scholar/misicographer
• 1820 - Joseph Alberdingk Thijm, [Pauwels Foreestier], poet (Dietsche Warande)
• 1826 - William Thomas Best, composer
• 1831 - Salomon Jaoassohn, composer
• 1840 - Giovanni Verga, Italian writer (Eros)
• 1841 - Unaarrimin, cricketer (played cricket as Johnny Mullagh)
• 1851 - John Lincoln Clem, Drummer (Union volunteers), died in 1937
• 1860 - Annie Oakley, Drake Ohio, frontierswoman (Buffalo Bill's Wild West)
• 1867 - Rudolf Georg Binding, German songwriter/writer (Legenden Der Zeit)
• 1867 - William A Craigie, Scottish lexicographer (Skotlands Rimur)
• 1871 - Karl Liebknecht, German revolutionary marxist (Sparta Party)
• 1878 - Leonid Vladimirovich Nikolayev, composer
• 1878 - Salomon "Sam" de Wolff, Dutch zionist/socialist theorist
• 1879 - John N Ireland, English composer/pianist (Mai-Dun)
• 1881 - Jacqueline [Pierrette] R van Stuwe, [Eline v S], Dutch author
• 1884 - Jo van Ammers-Kller, playwright (Rebellions)
• 1886 - Jacob Pierneef, South Africa, painter
• 1888 - John Logie Baird, Scotland, inventor (father of TV)
• 1890 - [Lavinia] Marian Fleming Poe, black US advocate in Virginia
• 1894 - Ferdinand Sassen, Dutch philosopher/director
• 1894 - Leonid Alexeyevich Polovinkin, composer
• 1895 - Bert Lahr, [Irving Lahrheim], US comic/actor (Lion-Wizard of Oz)
• 1895 - Robert Burton, actor (Dr Gordon-Kings Row)
• 1896 - Leo[nhard] Pappenheim, conductor
• 1898 - Jean Borota, France, tennis champ (35 Wimbeldons between 1922-64)
• 1899 - Alfred Hitchcock, London, director (Psycho, Birds, Rear Window)
• 1901 - Ian Whyte, composer
• 1902 - Bartoes, [Albertus J Wijstma], cabaret performer/comic
• 1902 - Felix Wankel, Germany, inventor (Wankel rotary-piston engine)
• 1902 - Lord Sainsbury of Drury Lane, president (J Sansbury Pics)
• 1902 - Regis Toomey, Pitts Pa, actor (Burke's Law, Petticoat Junction)
• 1903 - Wilton Graff, St Louis MO, actor (Bloodlust, Just Before Dawn)
• 1904 - Charles "Buddy" Rogers, Olathe KS, actor (Wings)
• 1906 - Mogens Klitgaard, Danish author (Ballade p† Nytorv)
• 1907 - Alfred Alwin Felix Krupp, Essen Germany, arms manufacturer
• 1908 - Gene Raymond, NYC, actor (Paris 7000, Fireside Theater)
• 1909 - John Beal, Joplin MO, actor (10 Who Dare, I Am the Law, Amityville 3D)
• 1909 - Wilhelmina Von Bremen, US 4X100 relay sprinter (Olympic-gold-1932)
• 1912 - Ben Hogan, Dublin Tx, PGA golfer (US Open 1950, 51, 53)
• 1912 - Jan Peeters, Dutch water colors painter/monumental artist
• 1912 - Max Croiset, playwright/director/actor (Dog of Flanders, Little Ark)
• 1912 - Metten Koornstra, Dutch painter/graphic artist
• 1912 - Rita Johnson, Worcester Mass, actress (Honolulu, All Mine to Give)
• 1912 - Salvador E Luria, Italian/US biologist (Nobel prize 1969)
• 1913 - Anatoly Vasilyevich Bogatiryov, composer
• 1913 - Francisco Escudero, composer
• 1913 - Liesbeth Askonas, concert agent
• 1913 - Lord Oram, British MP (Labour)
• 1913 - Makarios III, [Michail Moeskos], archbishop/president Cyprus
• 1914 - Richard Basehart, actor (Voyage to Bottom of the Sea)
• 1918 - Denis Smallwood, British air chief marshal
• 1918 - Frederick Sanger, England, biochemist (Nobel 1958, 1980)
• 1918 - John Bunting, senior civil servant
• 1919 - Rex Humbard, televanglist
• 1920 - Charlie Alfred Galbraith, jazz trombonist
• 1920 - George Shearing, London, blind pianist/composer (Lullabye of Byrdland)
• 1921 - Neville Brand, Kewanee IL, actor (DOA, Eaten Alive, Fire, Mohawk)
• 1924 - John Milne, CEO (Blue Circles Industries)
• 1925 - Benny Bailey, jazz trumpeter
• 1925 - Leslie Joseph, QC
• 1926 - Fidel Castro Ruz, Mayari, Oriente, Cuba, dictator (1959- )
• 1929 - Augustyn Bloch, composer
• 1929 - Charles Lyon, gen-sect (Transport Salaried Staffs Association)
• 1929 - Michael Beavis, deputy cmdr-in-chief (Allied Forces Central Europe)
• 1929 - Pat Harrington Jr, NYC, actor (Danny Thomas Show, 1 Day at a Time)
• 1930 - Don Ho, Hawaii, ukulele player (Tiny Bubbles)
• 1930 - Heino Jurisalu, composer
• 1930 - Marquess Camden
• 1931 - Bernard Manning, British comedian
• 1931 - Norman Read, NZ, 50K walker (Olympic-gold-1956)
• 1931 - Roy Evans, general sect (British Iron & Steel Trade Confederation)
• 1933 - Jocelyn Elders, US Surgeon General (-1994)
• 1933 - Madhur Jaffrey, cookbook writer/actress (Shakespeare Wallah)
• 1934 - Gary Davidson, US sports league founder (ABA, WHA, WFL)
• 1934 - Leifur Thorarinsson, composer
• 1935 - Rod Hull, entertainer
• 1939 - Saul Steinberg, artist (The Art of Living)
• 1940 - Ann Armstrong Dailey, founder (Children's Hospice Intl)
• 1940 - Timothy Wood, British govt asst whip
• 1941 - Jim Barnes, Tuckerton Ark, basketball player (Olympic-gold-1964)
• 1942 - Robert Lee Stewart, Wash DC, Brig Gen US Army/astronaut (STS 41B, 51J)
• 1942 - Sheila Armstrong, soprano
• 1943 - Gary Ilman, US, 100m freestyle (Olympic-4th-1964)
• 1943 - Susan Jameson, actress (Secret World of Polly Flint)
• 1943 - Yuri Fedorovich Isaulov, Russia, cosmonaut
• 1944 - David Mahler, composer
• 1944 - Kevin Tighe, LA CA, actor (Newsie, Another 48 Hours, K-9)
• 1945 - Robin Jackman, cricketer (England medium-pacer early eighties)
• 1947 - Gretchen Corbett, Camp Sherman Ore, actress (Beth-Rockford Files)
• 1948 - Kathleen Battle, Portsmouth Ohio, soprano (Shephard-Tannh„user)
• 1948 - Mosiuoa Patrick "Terror" Lekota, South African UDF/ANC-leader
• 1948 - Tony Santini, rocker (Sha Na Na)
• 1949 - Bobby Clarke, Manitoba, NHL player/coach (Phila Flyer)
• 1949 - Peter J Visclosky, (Rep-D-Indiana, 1985- )
• 1949 - Sheralee, Ft Lauderdale Fla, vocalist (Your Hit Parade)
• 1950 - Andr‚ van de Berg, actor/director (Transport)
• 1951 - Dan Fogelberg, Peoria Ill, rocker (Same Auld Lang Syne)
• 1951 - Gwen Cheeseman, Harrisburg Pa, field hockey goalie (Oly-bronze-1984)
• 1951 - Jeff Altman, comedian/actor (Nurses, Pink Lady, Soul Man)
• 1952 - Marie Helvin, model/actress (Children)
• 1953 - Jimmy McCulloch, rocker (Wings)
• 1954 - Lincoln Diaz-Balart, (Rep-R-Florida)
• 1955 - Betsy King, Reading PA, LPGA golfer (1990 US Women's Open)
• 1958 - David W Feherty, Bangor N Ireland, PGA golfer (1994 New England-2nd)
• 1958 - Feargal Sharkey, rocker (Undertones-Never Never, Good Heart)
• 1958 - Scott Hamilton, Toledo Ohio, figure skater (Oly-gold-1984)
• 1959 - Bruce French, cricketer (England wicketkeeper in 16 Tests 1986-88)
• 1959 - Danny Bonaduce, actor (Danny-Partridge Family)/Chicago DJ (WLUP)
• 1959 - Mark Nevin, rocker (Fairground Attraction-Find My Love)
• 1961 - Bettine Vriesekoop, Dutch table tennis star
• 1961 - Dawnn Lewis, actress (Jaleesa-Different World)
• 1961 - Neil Mallender, cricketer (England pace bowler in two Tests 1992)
• 1962 - Adam Kase, Socorro NM, Canadian Tour golfer (1989 Alberta Open-3rd)
• 1963 - Elizabeth Bourland, Costa Rica, US 3x20 rifle (Olympics-7th-1996)
• 1963 - Pamela Jean Stein, Syracuse NY, playmate (Nov, 1987)
• 1963 - Tigg Ketler, Chula Vista Ca, drummer (Bang Tango-Dancin' on Coals)
• 1964 - Ian Haughland, heavy metal rocker (Europe-The Final Countdown)
• 1964 - Jay Buhner, Nassau TX, outfielder (Seattle Mariners, NY Yankees)
• 1964 - Tom Prince, Kankakee IL, catcher (LA Dodgers)
• 1965 - Cris Dishman, NFL cornerback (Houston Oilers, Wash Redskins)
• 1965 - Leo Groenewegen, CFL guard (Edmonton Eskimos)
• 1965 - Mark Lemke, Utica NY, infielder (Atlanta Braves)
• 1966 - Glenn Donald Hamilton, NZ, beach volleyball player (Olympics-96)
• 1966 - Shayne Corson, NHL forward (Team Canada Oly-1998, Montreal)
• 1967 - Quinn Cummings, LA Calif, actress (Annie-Family, Goodbye Girl)
• 1967 - Taro Tan, Montreal Quebec, 65 kg judoka (Olympics-96)
• 1967 - Tracy Rogers, NFL linebacker (KC Chiefs)
• 1968 - Joe Garten, WLAF corner/guard (Barcelona Dragons)
• 1968 - William Thomas, NFL linebacker (Phila Eagles)
• 1969 - Alex Fernandez, Miami Beach FL, pitcher (Chic White Sox)
• 1969 - Midori Ito, Tokyo Japan, ice skater (Oly-silver-92)
• 1970 - Elvis Grbac, NFL quarterback (SF 49ers, KC Chiefs)
• 1970 - Tim Watson, NFL/WLAF safety (Raiders, Barcelona Dragons)
• 1971 - Camille Thompson, Salmon Arm BC, basketball center (Olympics-96)
• 1971 - Chad Cota, NFL safety (Carolina Panthers)
• 1971 - Marcus Ragnarsson, Ostervala SWE, NHL defenseman (SJ Sharks, Sweden)
• 1971 - Ron Dickerson, WLAF running back (Scottish Claymores, London Monarchs)
• 1972 - Lisa Kiggens, Salinas CA, LPGA golfer (1994 Rochester International)
• 1973 - Armon Williams, safety/linebacker (Tennessee Oilers)
• 1973 - Sherman Williams, NFL running back (Dallas Cowboys)
• 1975 - Jason Gleasman, Wilmington DE, 220 lbs greco-roman wrestler (Oly-1996)
• 1977 - Michael Klim, Poland, Australian swimmer (Olympics-96)
• 1978 - Kristiina Heinmets, Miss Estonia Universe (1997)

Famous deaths for this day ..

• 0587 - Radegundis, daughter of Thrings king Berthar/saint, dies
• 0662 - Maximus Confessor, Greek theologist/crusader, dies
• 0900 - Zwentibold, king of Lutherans (895-900), dies in battle at 29
• 1134 - Irene [Pirisca], Byzantine empress, dies
• 1191 - Philips van Heinsberg, archbishop of Cologne, dies
• 1278 - Daikaku, Zen teacher Rinzai line/head of Kenchoji, dies in Japan at 65
• 1637 - Dirck J Bas, Dutch merchant/regent/govt leader (OIC), dies
• 1674 - Lars Johnstown, [Lasse Lucidor], Swedish poet, dies at 35
• 1749 - J E Schlegel, writer, dies
• 1762 - John Alberti, theologist/philological, dies at 64
• 1787 - Isa„c de Pinto, merchant/lender/Dutch States-general, dies
• 1808 - Henri Hardouin, composer, dies at 81
• 1841 - Bernhard Heinrich Romberg, German composer, dies at 73
• 1841 - Bernhard Romberg, German cellist/composer, dies
• 1860 - Danillo II, ruler of Montenegro, dies
• 1865 - Ignaz Semmelweis, gynecologist, dies at 47
• 1886 - Adolf von Doss, composer, dies at 62
• 1895 - Christian B Freiherr von Tauchnitz, German publisher (T Edition), dies
• 1896 - John Everett Millais, English painter, dies at 67
• 1897 - Antonius von der Linde, Neth/German librarian, dies at 63
• 1908 - Ira D Sankey, US evangelist/composer/singer (Gospel Hymns), dies at 67
• 1910 - Florence Nightingale, English nurse, dies at 90
• 1912 - Jules EF Massenet, French opera composer (Werther, Manon), dies at 70
• 1913 - F August Bebel, German social-democrat, dies
• 1916 - Fritz Steinbach, composer, dies at 61
• 1924 - Julian Aguirre, composer, dies at 56
• 1927 - James Curwood, US journalist/writer (Valley of Silent Men), dies at 49
• 1928 - Fernand de La Tombelle, composer, dies at 74
• 1933 - Paul Joseph Guillaume Hillemacher, composer, dies at 80
• 1940 - George C Pearce, actor (Hold tat Lion, British Agent), dies at 75
• 1946 - H[erbert] G[eorge] Wells, sci-fi author (Time Machine), dies at 79
• 1946 - Valery Viktorovich Zhelobinsky, composer, dies at 33
• 1947 - Johan H T Norlind, Swedish musicologist, dies
• 1948 - Edwin Maxwell, actor (Taming of the Shrew), dies at 62
• 1953 - Dmitri Arakishvili, composer, dies at 80
• 1954 - Hermann W S Waltershausen, German musicologist/composer, dies at 71
• 1956 - Harry Donnan, cricketer (5 Tests for Australia 1891-96), dies
• 1959 - Henry Garat, actor (Congress Dances), dies at 57
• 1961 - Adeline De Walt Reynolds, actress (Son of Dracula), dies at 78
• 1967 - Jane Darwell, actress (Girls in Prison), dies of heart attack at 87
• 1970 - Viktor Nikolayevich Trambitsky, composer, dies at 75
• 1971 - King Curtis, [Curtis Ousley], US musician, murdered at 37
• 1972 - George Wiess, General Manager (NY Yankees), dies at 78
• 1973 - Ben van Eysselsteijn, Dutch playwright (Arid Earth), dies at 75
• 1974 - Hugo Yarnold, cricketer (Umpire in 3 Tests for England), dies
• 1974 - Kate O'Brien, Irish writer (Pray for the Wanderer), dies at 76
• 1975 - Max Lamberty, Flemish sociologist (What is Culture?), dies at 81
• 1977 - Henry Williamson, English author (Tarka the Otter), dies
• 1982 - Charles Walters, US actor/choreographer/dir (High Society), dies at 70
• 1982 - Joe E Ross, comedian (Toody-Car 54, Phil Silvers Show), dies at 77
• 1982 - Joe Tex, [Joseph Arrington Jr], singer (Getting Scarce), dies at 49
• 1984 - Clyde Cook, actor (Dawn Patrol, Jazz Heaven), dies in his sleep at 92
• 1985 - Marion Martin, actress (Dakota Lil, Queen of Burlesque), dies at 67
• 1986 - Helen Mack, actress (Son of Kong, Milky Way), dies
• 1987 - Vincent Persichetti, US composer (Sibyl), dies at 72
• 1988 - Otto E Passman, (Rep-D-La, 1947-77), dies at 88
• 1989 - Tim Richmond, race car driver (won 13 NASCAR races), dies of AIDS
• 1990 - Jimmy Starr, actor (Hot Flashes), dies at 86
• 1991 - Jack Ryan, inventor (Barbie Doll, Hot Wheels), dies at 65
• 1992 - Bill Elverman, playwright/actor (After Hours), dies at 40
• 1992 - Clifford Allison, US stock-car racer, dies in an accident
• 1992 - David Kaplan, news director (ABC), killed in Sarajevo Yugoslavia
• 1992 - Jan Elburg, [Joannes G], poet (Geen letterheren), dies
• 1994 - Manfred W”rner, German general/sec-gen of NATO (1988-94), dies at 59
• 1995 - Alison Hargreaves, mountaineer, dies at 33
• 1995 - Jesse Thomas, blues singer, dies at 84
• 1995 - Mickey Mantle, baseball great (NY Yankees), dies of cancer at 63
• 1995 - Per-Jakez Helias, Writer/teacher, dies at 81
• 1996 - Antonio Sebastiao Ribiero de Spinola, soldier/polititican, dies at 86
• 1996 - Antonio de Spinola, general of Portugal, dies
• 1996 - Christopher John Gray, priest, dies at 42
• 1996 - David Randall, priest, dies at 49
• 1996 - David Tudor, composer, dies at 70
• 1996 - Tom Mees, ESPN sports anchors (NHL), drowns at 46
• 1996 - W Gordon Smith, playwright, dies at 67