Famous people born on November 9th
November 9 gathers an unusually rich mix of poets, scientists, statesmen, and performers, spanning centuries and continents. The date pairs big-idea thinkers with culture-shaping artists, from foundational scholarship to modern popular music and sport. With 38 notable births on this day, the range runs from pioneering innovators to headline-making public figures.
Notable highlights
- Muhammad Iqbal (1877) - A philosophical poet whose writings helped inspire modern Muslim political thought in South Asia.
- Carl Sagan (1934) - A cosmic popularizer who brought astronomy to mass audiences through clear storytelling and scientific skepticism.
- Hedy Lamarr (1914) - A screen star whose co-invented frequency-hopping concept became a precursor to modern wireless communications.
- Benjamin Banneker (1731) - A self-taught scientist and surveyor who became an early symbol of Black intellectual achievement in America.
- Anne Sexton (1928) - A confessional poet whose fierce, intimate voice reshaped late-20th-century American poetry.
- Imre Lakatos (1922) - A philosopher of science known for arguing that research programs, not single experiments, drive scientific progress.
- Spiro T. Agnew (1918) - A U.S. vice president whose career ended abruptly, leaving a lasting case study in political scandal and accountability.
- Alessandro Del Piero (1974) - An iconic Italian forward celebrated for technique, longevity, and leadership at club and national levels.
- Bryn Terfel (1965) - A bass-baritone renowned for commanding opera roles and accessible crossover performances.
- Delta Goodrem (1984) - An Australian singer-actress who became a major pop presence while balancing television fame and chart success.
On this day
- 1989 - The Berlin Wall begins to fall as East Germans are allowed to cross into West Berlin, accelerating German reunification.
- 1938 - Kristallnacht pogroms erupt across Nazi Germany and Austria, marking a major escalation of anti-Jewish persecution.
- 1970 - Charles de Gaulle Airport opens near Paris, becoming one of Europe’s major international hubs.
- 1799 - Napoleon Bonaparte stages the coup of 18 Brumaire, effectively ending the French Revolution’s Directory and ushering in the Consulate.