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Famous people born on November 19th

November 19 stands out for its breadth, spanning political leadership, business innovation, film and television, elite sport, and influential thinkers. The date brings together people who shaped public policy and global affairs alongside creators who left enduring marks on culture. It also features voices in journalism, science, and literature whose work helped define their fields.

Notable highlights

  • Peter Drucker (1909) - Widely called the father of modern management for reframing organizations around mission, customers, and knowledge work.
  • Indira Gandhi (1917) - India's first woman prime minister, a dominant figure in 20th-century South Asian politics.
  • James A. Garfield (1831) - The 20th U.S. president, remembered for a brief term cut short by assassination in 1881.
  • Jack Welch (1935) - Former GE CEO who popularized aggressive restructuring and performance-driven corporate culture.
  • Jodie Foster (1962) - Two-time Academy Award-winning actor and director known for intense, psychologically complex roles.
  • Ted Turner (1938) - Media entrepreneur who reshaped television news and helped build the modern cable era.
  • Calvin Klein (1942) - Designer whose minimalist branding and provocative advertising redefined American fashion marketing.
  • Allison Janney (1960) - Emmy- and Oscar-winning performer celebrated for scene-stealing range in comedy and drama.
  • Gail Devers (1966) - Olympic champion sprinter and hurdler noted for elite longevity across multiple Games.
  • Yuan T. Lee (1936) - Nobel Prize-winning chemist recognized for pioneering work on chemical reaction dynamics.

On this day

  • 1863 - U.S. President Abraham Lincoln delivers the Gettysburg Address, redefining the Civil War's purpose around unity and equality.
  • 1969 - Apollo 12 lands on the Moon, achieving a pinpoint touchdown near the Surveyor 3 spacecraft.
  • 1977 - Egyptian President Anwar Sadat visits Jerusalem, a breakthrough moment that led toward the Camp David Accords.
  • 1985 - The first Microsoft Windows (Windows 1.0) is released, signaling a new era for graphical personal computing.
Author Nationality Profession Quotes Year
Allen Tate USA Poet 26 1899 - 1979
Allison Janney USA Actress 17 1960
Andy Pick England Coach 2 1963
Billy Sunday USA Clergyman 43 1862 - 1935
Calvin Klein USA Designer 48 1942
Charles Anthon USA Writer 2 1797 - 1867
Dick Cavett USA Entertainer 15 1936
Gail Devers USA Athlete 3 1966
Gary Ackerman USA Politician 9 1942
Gene Tierney USA Actress 55 1920 - 1991
George Rogers Clark USA Soldier 3 1752 - 1818
Indira Gandhi India Statesman 18 1917 - 1984
Jack Welch USA Businessman 25 1935
James A. Garfield USA President 31 1831 - 1881
Jeane Kirkpatrick USA Diplomat 25 1926 - 2006
Jim Hodges USA Politician 21 1956
Jo Bonner USA Politician 29 1959
Jodie Foster USA Actress 34 1962
Kathleen Quinlan USA Actress 15 1954
Lamar S. Smith USA Politician 8 1947
Larry King USA Entertainer 26 1933
Meg Ryan USA Actress 23 1961
Michael Wilbon USA Journalist 7 1958
Peter Drucker USA Businessman 39 1909 - 2005
Richard Virenque Morocco Athlete 4 1969
Rocco DiSpirito USA Celebrity 22 1966
Sharon Olds USA Poet 23 1942
Ted Turner USA Businessman 25 1938
Tom Harkin USA Politician 6 1939
Wilhelm Dilthey Germany Historian 20 1833 - 1911
Yuan T. Lee China Scientist 5 1936