Famous people born on March 12th
March 12 has produced an unusually wide mix of influential voices, from philosophers and playwrights to musicians, actors, and political leaders. The date brings together innovators who reshaped modern literature, sharpened public debate, and expanded what audiences expect from stage, screen, and art. Across centuries, March 12 birthdays reflect both creative risk-taking and civic impact.
Notable highlights
- Jack Kerouac (1922) - A defining Beat Generation novelist whose spontaneous prose helped change the sound and subject matter of American fiction.
- Edward Albee (1928) - Pulitzer-winning dramatist who pushed American theater toward sharper psychological realism and confrontation.
- George Berkeley (1685) - Philosopher famous for arguing that perception is central to reality, shaping later debates in metaphysics and epistemology.
- Liza Minnelli (1946) - Stage and screen star celebrated for electrifying musical performances and a signature big-voiced cabaret style.
- James Taylor (1948) - Singer-songwriter whose intimate storytelling and warm melodies helped define modern folk-pop.
- Anish Kapoor (1954) - Contemporary artist known for monumental, perception-bending sculptures and public works that play with void, reflection, and scale.
- Andrew Young (1932) - Civil rights leader and diplomat who served as a key aide to Martin Luther King Jr. and later became a prominent public official.
- Wally Schirra (1923) - Astronaut who flew in Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo missions, making him one of NASA's most historically significant early spacefarers.
- Mitt Romney (1947) - U.S. political figure and former governor whose national campaigns shaped 21st-century party politics and policy debates.
- Earl Nightingale (1921) - Influential self-improvement author and broadcaster often credited with popularizing motivational audio programs for a mass audience.
On this day
- 1930 - Mahatma Gandhi begins the Salt March, a landmark act of civil disobedience against British rule in India.
- 1938 - Nazi Germany annexes Austria in the Anschluss, dramatically escalating tensions in Europe before World War II.
- 1947 - President Harry S. Truman announces the Truman Doctrine, signaling a major shift in U.S. foreign policy at the start of the Cold War.
- 1999 - Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic join NATO, expanding the alliance in post-Cold War Europe.