Famous people born on October 13th
October 13 brings together an unusually wide spectrum of public life, from global leadership and civil liberties to virtuoso music and championship sports. The date features influential figures who shaped policy, redefined popular sound, and pushed the boundaries of performance on stage and in competition. Across eras, these birthdays reflect both mass popularity and enduring cultural impact.
Notable highlights
- Margaret Thatcher (1925) - Britain"s first female prime minister, she helped remake UK economic and foreign policy during the late Cold War.
- Paul Simon (1941) - A masterful songwriter whose work spans folk-rock classics and globally inspired albums like "Graceland".
- Lenny Bruce (1925) - A groundbreaking stand-up whose legal battles over obscenity reshaped the boundaries of modern comedy.
- Art Tatum (1909) - A piano virtuoso celebrated for dazzling technique and harmonic sophistication that influenced generations of jazz musicians.
- Nana Mouskouri (1934) - One of the best-selling recording artists ever, known for a multilingual repertoire that crossed genres and borders.
- Sammy Hagar (1947) - Rock singer and guitarist whose career spans major bands and a successful solo run, including years fronting Van Halen.
- Nancy Kerrigan (1969) - Olympic figure skater whose elegant style and high-profile 1994 season made her an enduring sports icon.
- Ian Thorpe (1982) - Australian swimming champion whose world-record performances helped define an era of middle-distance freestyle.
- Jerry Rice (1962) - Widely regarded as one of the greatest NFL wide receivers, noted for longevity, precision, and record-setting production.
- Charlotte Bunch (1944) - Feminist scholar-activist who helped frame women"s rights as human rights in global advocacy.
On this day
- 1307 - King Philip IV of France orders the arrest of the Knights Templar, launching a dramatic crackdown on the powerful medieval order.
- 1775 - The Continental Congress authorizes the creation of a naval force, laying foundations for what would become the United States Navy.
- 1792 - The cornerstone of the U.S. President"s House (the White House) is laid in Washington, D.C.
- 1972 - Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 crashes in the Andes; survivors endure a famed 72-day ordeal before rescue.