Famous people born on March 11th
March 11 brings together an unusually wide-ranging set of birthdays, spanning Renaissance poetry, modern politics and law, influential media, and pop culture. The date features voices that shaped public debate as well as creators who reshaped how audiences read, watch, and listen. From scientific thinkers to performers and athletes, the mix highlights both enduring classics and contemporary icons.
Notable highlights
- Douglas Adams (1952) - His comic science-fiction turned "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" into a cross-media phenomenon and a modern cult classic.
- Ralph Abernathy (1926) - A key strategist and organizer of the U.S. civil rights movement who worked closely with Martin Luther King Jr.
- Rupert Murdoch (1931) - Built one of the most influential global media empires, shaping newspapers, television, and political discourse.
- Antonin Scalia (1936) - A defining U.S. Supreme Court voice known for sharp writing and a lasting impact on constitutional interpretation debates.
- Harold Wilson (1916) - Twice served as UK prime minister and became emblematic of mid-20th-century Labour politics.
- Didier Drogba (1978) - Celebrated striker whose goals and leadership made him a modern football legend, especially at club level.
- Torquato Tasso (1544) - Author of the epic poem "Jerusalem Delivered," a landmark of Italian Renaissance literature.
- Vannevar Bush (1890) - Influential U.S. science administrator whose wartime coordination helped shape modern research policy.
- Bobby McFerrin (1950) - Vocal innovator best known for "Don't Worry, Be Happy" and boundary-pushing a cappella performance.
- Terrence Howard (1969) - Actor recognized for intense screen presence across film and television, including award-nominated roles.
On this day
- 1702 - The Daily Courant begins publication in London, often cited as the first successful daily newspaper in England.
- 1861 - The Constitution of the Confederate States of America is adopted in Montgomery, Alabama.
- 1941 - The U.S. Lend-Lease Act is signed into law, enabling large-scale aid to Allied nations during World War II.
- 2011 - A massive earthquake and tsunami strike Japan, triggering the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster.