Famous people born on May 28th
May 28 brings together an unusually wide-ranging set of birthdays, spanning sharp social critics, world-shaping political figures, and artists who left deep marks on popular culture. The date blends scholarship and activism with inventive storytelling and music that traveled far beyond national borders. From sociological theory to spy fiction and modern pop stardom, the roster reflects how many different ways a person can influence public life.
Notable highlights
- Ian Fleming (1908) - Created James Bond, blending Cold War anxieties with glamour, gadgets, and tightly plotted espionage.
- Patrick White (1912) - Nobel Prize-winning novelist whose psychologically rich fiction reshaped Australian literature on the world stage.
- C. Wright Mills (1916) - Popularized the idea of the "sociological imagination", linking personal troubles to public issues and power structures.
- Jack Kevorkian (1928) - Became a lightning-rod figure in the right-to-die debate, forcing public conversation about end-of-life ethics and law.
- Denis Waitley (1933) - A major voice in self-improvement and performance psychology, widely known for practical motivation frameworks.
- Betty Shabazz (1936) - Educator and civil rights advocate who sustained community work and public memory after Malcolm X's assassination.
- John Fogerty (1945) - Frontman and songwriter for Creedence Clearwater Revival, known for rootsy rock narratives and unmistakable guitar drive.
- Kylie Minogue (1968) - Built a decades-long pop career with reinvention across dance eras, becoming one of Australia's best-known global entertainers.
- Marco Rubio (1971) - U.S. senator and national political figure whose career has shaped debates on foreign policy and domestic priorities.
On this day
- 585 BCE - A solar eclipse, traditionally linked to the Battle of the Eclipse, is recorded in ancient sources as halting fighting between the Lydians and Medes.
- 1937 - Volkswagen is founded in Germany, becoming one of the most influential automakers of the 20th century.
- 1961 - Amnesty International is launched, growing into a major global human-rights organization.
- 1972 - The Duke of Windsor (former King Edward VIII) dies, closing a long chapter in British royal history after his abdication.