Famous people born on September 4th
September 4 gathers an unusually wide range of creative, intellectual, and public figures, spanning modern pop culture, architecture, theater, literature, science, and politics. The date links innovators who reshaped their fields with performers who became household names across radio, film, television, and music. Together, these birthdays trace a cross-section of influence from the 17th century to the present.
Notable highlights
- Beyonce Knowles (1981) - A defining 21st-century pop and R&B force, she has paired chart dominance with landmark visual albums and cultural impact.
- Antonin Artaud (1896) - His radical ideas on performance helped inspire avant-garde theater, especially his influential concept of the "Theatre of Cruelty".
- Kenzo Tange (1913) - A central figure in postwar Japanese architecture, he blended modernism with traditional forms and shaped major urban visions.
- Paul Harvey (1918) - The iconic American radio voice popularized a signature style of storytelling and commentary, famously culminating in "The Rest of the Story".
- Richard Wright (1908) - A major American novelist whose work confronted racism and social power, he helped redefine modern Black literature in the U.S.
- Mike Piazza (1968) - One of baseball's most famous catchers, he became an offensive standout at a position rarely known for power hitting.
- Dawn Fraser (1937) - An Australian swimming legend, she became synonymous with dominance in sprint freestyle events during her era.
- Max Delbruck (1906) - A pioneer of molecular biology, he advanced the use of viruses and genetics to illuminate fundamental biological mechanisms.
- Darius Milhaud (1892) - A prolific composer associated with Les Six, he blended classical traditions with jazz and global influences in an enormous catalog.
- Wes Bentley (1978) - Known for intense, distinctive performances, he gained early attention in film and later built a strong presence in television drama.
On this day
- 1781 - Spanish settlers founded Los Angeles, establishing a community that would grow into one of the world's most influential cities.
- 1886 - Apache leader Geronimo surrendered to U.S. forces, marking a pivotal end to major armed resistance in the Southwest.
- 1957 - The Little Rock Nine entered Central High School under federal protection, a major milestone in U.S. school desegregation.
- 1998 - Google was founded, accelerating the rise of modern web search and reshaping how information is discovered online.