Famous people born on January 6th
January 6 brings together an unusually wide-ranging set of birthdays, from medieval legend to modern comedy, philosophy, literature, and sport. The date features voices that reshaped poetry and spiritual thought, as well as public figures who influenced politics, media, and the way people think about society. With 40 notable names connected to this day, the lineup reflects both cultural imagination and public leadership across centuries.
Notable highlights
- Kahlil Gibran (1883) - Lebanese-American poet and artist whose book The Prophet became one of the most widely read spiritual classics of the 20th century.
- Carl Sandburg (1878) - American poet and biographer celebrated for his Chicago poems and acclaimed multi-volume life of Abraham Lincoln.
- Rowan Atkinson (1956) - British comedian whose physical comedy as Mr Bean turned minimal dialogue into global popularity.
- Alan Watts (1915) - Philosopher and speaker who popularized Zen and Eastern philosophy for Western audiences through accessible lectures and books.
- Loretta Young (1913) - Academy Award-winning actress who successfully transitioned from film stardom to influential early television hosting.
- E. L. Doctorow (1931) - Novelist known for blending history and fiction in works like Ragtime, reshaping the modern American historical novel.
- Joan of Arc (1412) - French national heroine whose visions and military leadership helped shift the Hundred Years' War before her martyrdom.
- Lou Holtz (1937) - Hall of Fame coach who led Notre Dame to a national championship and became a prominent broadcaster afterward.
- Syd Barrett (1946) - Founding creative force of Pink Floyd whose early songwriting helped define the band's psychedelic beginnings.
- Nancy Lopez (1957) - Golf legend whose rookie-season dominance helped elevate the visibility and commercial success of women's professional golf.
On this day
- 1412 - Joan of Arc is traditionally believed to have been born, a figure who would later become a defining symbol of French national identity.
- 1781 - During the American Revolution, the Battle of Jersey ends in a British victory but becomes a storied episode of local resistance.
- 1912 - New Mexico is admitted as the 47th U.S. state, completing a major phase of American continental expansion.
- 2021 - A mob attacks the U.S. Capitol as Congress meets to certify the presidential election results, disrupting proceedings and prompting global condemnation.