Famous people born on November 16th
November 16 is a remarkably eclectic birthday date, linking trailblazing artists and writers with influential thinkers, designers, and political figures. The day spans global cultures and centuries, from early American public life to modern film, music, and game design. Together, these birthdays reflect a mix of imagination, public debate, and lasting cultural impact.
Notable highlights
- Lisa Bonet (1967) - Became a defining screen presence of late-20th-century TV, known for projecting quiet intensity and individuality.
- George S. Kaufman (1889) - A sharp-witted architect of American stage comedy whose collaborations helped shape Broadway's modern voice.
- Jose Saramago (1922) - Nobel Prize-winning novelist whose allegorical style and moral urgency reached readers worldwide.
- Chinua Achebe (1930) - Reframed world literature by centering African perspectives and challenging colonial narratives in modern fiction.
- Shigeru Miyamoto (1952) - Redefined interactive entertainment by creating playful, accessible design language that influenced generations of games.
- Robert Nozick (1938) - A major figure in political philosophy whose arguments about liberty and the state sparked enduring debate.
- W. C. Handy (1873) - Often called the "Father of the Blues" for helping popularize and publish the form for a national audience.
- Nnamdi Azikiwe (1904) - A central voice in Nigerian independence who later served as the country's first president.
- Diana Krall (1964) - A chart-topping jazz pianist and vocalist celebrated for cool phrasing, elegant arrangements, and crossover appeal.
- Maggie Gyllenhaal (1977) - Known for fearless, character-driven performances and for expanding her impact through writing and directing.
On this day
- 1532 - Francisco Pizarro captured Inca emperor Atahualpa at Cajamarca, a turning point in the Spanish conquest of Peru.
- 1776 - British forces captured Fort Washington in New York during the American Revolutionary War.
- 1940 - World War II: The Warsaw Ghetto was sealed, confining hundreds of thousands of Jews under Nazi occupation.
- 1945 - UNESCO was founded to promote international cooperation in education, science, and culture.
- 1995 - The Dayton Peace Accords were initialed, outlining an end to the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina.