Famous people born on September 14th
September 14 brings together a remarkably diverse set of birthday figures spanning politics, science, literature, activism, and screen performance. The date is notable for public-minded thinkers and reformers alongside widely recognized entertainers and statesmen. From groundbreaking research on learning to influential debates about education and democracy, these birthdays trace big ideas as well as popular culture.
Notable highlights
- Tyler Perry (1969) - Built a multimedia studio empire and turned the Madea character into a modern pop-culture franchise.
- Ivan Pavlov (1849) - Pioneered classical conditioning, reshaping how psychology and behavioral science explain learning.
- Margaret Sanger (1879) - A central, controversial figure in the birth-control movement who helped shape modern reproductive health advocacy.
- Sam Neill (1947) - Became a global face of blockbuster cinema through roles that balance intensity with quiet humanity.
- Dmitry Medvedev (1965) - Served as President of Russia and remained a key power broker in the country’s modern political era.
- Constance Baker Motley (1921) - Landmark civil-rights attorney who later became the first Black woman to serve as a federal judge.
- Allan Bloom (1930) - Sparked enduring arguments about higher education and culture with his critique of academic life.
- Kate Millett (1934) - A defining feminist voice whose writing helped crystallize debates about power, gender, and art.
- Melissa Leo (1960) - Known for emotionally precise performances that often center working-class realism and moral complexity.
- Creighton W. Abrams, Jr. (1914) - U.S. Army general whose leadership shaped late-stage Vietnam strategy and later Army modernization.
On this day
- 1814 - Francis Scott Key writes the poem that becomes the lyrics to "The Star-Spangled Banner" during the War of 1812.
- 1901 - President William McKinley is shot at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York.
- 1959 - The Soviet probe Luna 2 becomes the first human-made object to reach the Moon.
- 1982 - Lebanon’s President-elect Bachir Gemayel is assassinated in Beirut, triggering major political and military fallout.