Famous people born on December 28th
December 28 is a remarkably wide-ranging birthday on the calendar, spanning foundational innovators in computing, towering figures in American politics, and performers who shaped modern film, theater, and popular music. The date brings together minds known for rigorous theory and people celebrated for charisma on stage and screen. From Nobel-level scientific breakthroughs to cultural works that influenced generations, the mix is unusually deep and international.
Notable highlights
- Linus Torvalds (1969) - Created the Linux kernel, sparking a global open-source ecosystem that underpins much of the modern internet.
- Denzel Washington (1954) - Acclaimed actor whose intensity and range have defined decades of American cinema, including an Oscar-winning turn in "Training Day".
- Woodrow Wilson (1856) - U.S. president closely associated with World War I diplomacy and the push for a League of Nations.
- Maggie Smith (1934) - Stage and screen legend celebrated for razor-sharp wit and dramatic power, from classic theater to major film roles.
- John von Neumann (1903) - Pioneered the stored-program computer architecture that still shapes how most computers are designed.
- Arthur Eddington (1882) - Helped popularize and test Einstein's general relativity, advancing modern astrophysics.
- Kary Mullis (1944) - Nobel laureate credited with inventing PCR, a technique that transformed genetics, medicine, and forensic science.
- John Legend (1978) - Grammy-winning singer-songwriter known for soulful pop and socially engaged projects, including the hit "All of Me".
- Stan Lee (1922) - Influential Marvel storyteller and editor who co-created iconic superheroes and helped reshape modern pop mythology.
- Nichelle Nichols (1933) - Broke ground in mainstream science fiction as Uhura on "Star Trek", becoming a lasting cultural symbol.
On this day
- 1895 - The first public screening of motion pictures by the Lumiere brothers takes place in Paris, a landmark in cinema history.
- 1918 - Poland proclaims a newly independent state after World War I, marking a major shift in European borders and governance.
- 1981 - The first American test-tube baby is born in the United States, a milestone for IVF and reproductive medicine.
- 1989 - The San Francisco earthquake strikes during the World Series, becoming one of the most widely televised natural disasters in U.S. history.