Famous people born on March 16th
March 16 gathers an unusually wide-ranging set of birthdays, spanning founding-era statesmanship, modern economics, boundary-pushing arts, and technology. The date links figures who shaped constitutions and public policy with performers who defined comedy and cinema. It is also rich in writers and innovators whose work traveled far beyond their home countries.
Notable highlights
- James Madison (1751) - Often called the "Father of the Constitution," he helped shape the Bill of Rights and the early architecture of U.S. government.
- Jerry Lewis (1926) - A dominant force in American comedy whose physical style and directing influenced generations of performers.
- Maxim Gorky (1868) - A key voice of Russian realism whose writing drew on hardship and social critique.
- Isabelle Huppert (1955) - Celebrated for fearless, psychologically complex roles across European and international cinema.
- Richard Stallman (1953) - Launched the GNU Project and became a central figure in the free software movement.
- Todd McFarlane (1961) - Redefined superhero comics aesthetics and later built a major collectibles brand.
- Jens Stoltenberg (1959) - A prominent European statesman who led Norway and later became NATO Secretary General.
- Mark Carney (1965) - Led major central banks and became known for linking finance with long-term climate and stability goals.
- Pat Nixon (1912) - As First Lady, promoted volunteerism and expanded accessibility efforts in public spaces such as the White House.
- Joel Embiid (1994) - An elite center whose scoring and defense reshaped expectations for modern big men in the NBA.
On this day
- 1521 - Ferdinand Magellan reached the Philippines during his circumnavigation voyage.
- 1802 - The United States Military Academy at West Point was established.
- 1926 - Robert Goddard launched the first liquid-fueled rocket, a foundational step toward modern rocketry.
- 1968 - The My Lai massacre occurred during the Vietnam War.