Famous people born on January 17th
January 17 is a remarkably varied birthday lineup, spanning foundational political thinkers, cultural trailblazers, and larger-than-life entertainers. The date links early modern literature to modern civil rights-era influence, and it also includes innovators who reshaped technology and education. From global icons to behind-the-scenes pioneers, this day showcases many different ways to leave a mark.
Notable highlights
- Benjamin Franklin (1706) - A key American Founding Father who also advanced science, publishing, and diplomacy with rare breadth.
- Muhammad Ali (1942) - The heavyweight champion who paired elite athletic skill with outspoken social activism and global charisma.
- Michelle Obama (1964) - The former First Lady who built influential public initiatives around health, education, and civic engagement.
- Jim Carrey (1962) - A comedic powerhouse known for elastic physical performance and later dramatic roles that broadened his reputation.
- David Lloyd George (1863) - Britain's wartime prime minister who helped shape the post-World War I political settlement and domestic reforms.
- Pedro Calderon de la Barca (1600) - A Spanish Golden Age dramatist whose plays explored faith, honor, and illusion with philosophical depth.
- Al Capone (1899) - A defining figure of Prohibition-era organized crime whose notoriety still frames public images of the gangster era.
- Anita Borg (1949) - A pioneering computer scientist and advocate who expanded opportunities for women in computing through influential programs and networks.
- Anne Bronte (1820) - The Bronte sister whose novels offered sharp social critique and an unusually candid moral realism for her time.
- James Earl Jones (1931) - A celebrated actor with one of the most iconic voices in modern film, television, and theater.
On this day
- 1773 - Captain James Cook and his crew become the first Europeans to cross the Antarctic Circle.
- 1917 - The United States purchases the Danish West Indies, later renamed the U.S. Virgin Islands.
- 1945 - Soviet and Polish forces liberate Warsaw during World War II.
- 1961 - President Dwight D. Eisenhower delivers his farewell address, warning against the rise of the "military-industrial complex."