Famous people born on August 27th
August 27 brings together political leadership, philosophical innovation, and a striking range of artistic voices. The date spans centuries, linking Enlightenment-era thinkers with 20th-century presidents, modern designers, and performers. It is a particularly diverse lineup, with influence felt in government, literature, music, photography, and sport.
Notable highlights
- Lyndon B. Johnson (1908) - The 36th U.S. president signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and launched the Great Society agenda.
- Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel (1770) - A cornerstone of German idealism whose dialectical approach reshaped modern philosophy and political theory.
- Mangosuthu Buthelezi (1928) - A pivotal South African figure who led the Inkatha Freedom Party and served in post-apartheid government.
- Tom Ford (1961) - Revitalized Gucci in the 1990s and later built a luxury brand that bridged fashion, fragrance, and film.
- Jeanette Winterson (1959) - Known for inventive, genre-bending fiction, including the widely taught novel "Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit".
- Man Ray (1890) - A key Dada and Surrealist artist who expanded photographic experimentation with rayographs and avant-garde portraiture.
- Theodore Dreiser (1871) - A leading American realist whose "Sister Carrie" helped shift U.S. fiction toward modern naturalism.
- Alex Lifeson (1953) - Rush guitarist whose textured, progressive rock style helped define one of the most influential trios in rock history.
- Sarah Chalke (1976) - Best known for playing Dr. Elliott Reid on "Scrubs" and for long-running voice work in television comedy.
- Jim Thome (1970) - Hall of Fame slugger celebrated for elite power hitting and a reputation as one of baseball's most respected clubhouse leaders.
On this day
- 410 - Rome was sacked by the Visigoths under Alaric, a shock that reverberated across the late Roman world.
- 1896 - Britain ended its protectorate over Zanzibar after the Anglo-Zanzibar War, often cited as the shortest war in recorded history.
- 1928 - The Kellogg-Briand Pact was signed in Paris, an international agreement that sought to renounce war as national policy.
- 1964 - The Mariner 4 mission was launched, later returning the first close-up images of Mars and transforming planetary science.