(James David Graham Niven)actor Born: 3/1/1910Birthplace: London, England Niven sustained a long career in film in both leading and supporting roles, often playing parts that displayed his comedic…
food products manufacturerBorn: 1857Birthplace: Mansfield, Ohio She and her husband formed the Knox Gelatin Company, but it was she who ran it after his death in 1908 and who turned it into a…
opera singerBorn: 9/15/1945Birthplace: Augusta, Georgia Known for her stage presence, vocal range, and her ability to convey emotion, Jessye Norman is one of the world's most respected opera…
diplomatBorn: 4/24/1941Birthplace: New York City A career diplomat who is well known within the Washington Beltway, Holbrooke became a familiar face to the rest of the country when he brokered a…
singer, dancer, and actress Born: 1/17/1927Birthplace: North, S.C. Kitt is best known for the holiday hit "Santa Baby." She started her entertainment career in the early 1950s as a dancer with the…
educatorBorn: 6/8/1874Birthplace: Richmond, Va. The daughter of former slaves, Randolph became a teacher at age 16. As a teacher at the Mountain Road School in Virginia's Henrico County, Randolph…
Comer Vann Woodwardhistorian Born: 11/13/1908Birthplace: Vanndale, Arkansas Pulitzer Prize-winning storyteller and historian who chronicled the upheaval of the turbulent South, as well as its…
Born: 1831Birthplace: Bremen, Germany Tapered roller bearings—The bearings that existed in the late 19th century worked well at reducing friction but ran into problems when wheels had to bear heavy…
actor, director, producerBorn: 8/28/1957Birthplace: Bethesda, Maryland Stern gave memorable performances in the films Hannah and Her Sisters (1986), Born in East L.A. (1987), as one of the…
actor, screenwriter Born: 8/4/1955Birthplace: Hot Springs, Arkansas After a long stint as a low-profile actor and screenwriter, Thornton careened to stardom for writing, directing, and acting in…
